ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
Author of "The Destruction and Creation of Michael Jackson" (above), "Elizabeth Taylor" (both published by Bloomsbury) and "Celebrity Culture" (Routledge, now in its 3rd edition). Regular contributor to Fair Observer magazine. .. more
Author of "The Destruction and Creation of Michael Jackson" (above), "Elizabeth Taylor" (both published by Bloomsbury) and "Celebrity Culture" (Routledge, now in its 3rd edition). Regular contributor to Fair Observer magazine.
Ellis Cashmore is a British sociologist and cultural critic. He is currently a visiting professor of sociology at Aston University. Before teaching at Aston, he used to teach culture, media and sport at Staffordshire University, starting in 1993. Before 1993, he taught sociology at the University of Tampa, Florida; and, before this, he was a lecturer in sociology at the University of Hong Kong. He is a regular contributor at Fair Observer. .. more
Political science
36%
Sociology
30%
Should FIFA Pull the World Cup Out of the US?
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter is urging fans to boycott the 2026 World Cup in the United States, citing recent civil unrest..
fairobserver.com
SHOULD FIFA PULL THE WORLD CUP OUT OF THE US?⚽️Read in #FairObserver: fairobserver.com/culture/shou...
#WorldCup2026 #FIFA #DonaldTrump #Infantino #SportsPolitics @fanseurope.org
@bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
@iscsupporters.bsky.social
@lasparks.bsky.social
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
#WorldCup2026 #FIFA #DonaldTrump #Infantino #SportsPolitics @fanseurope.org
@bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
@iscsupporters.bsky.social
@lasparks.bsky.social
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
Reposted by Ellis Cashmore
“He'll use it as a stage for his politics.”
Amid #ICE crackdown in #Minnesota, @elliscashmore.bsky.social highlights what we can expect from Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance
Amid #ICE crackdown in #Minnesota, @elliscashmore.bsky.social highlights what we can expect from Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance
Sexual Exploitation — Why Leaving Is Not So Simple
A woman was coerced into sexual exploitation for over 30 years through invisible captivity that eroded her agency without physical restraint.
fairobserver.com
“Why didn’t she just leave?”
This article asks a harder, unsettling question: how does sexual exploitation take hold and endure for decades – without chains? fairobserver.com/culture/sexu... @myfairobserver.bsky.social
#SexualExploitation #Agency #Power #CoerciveControl #Sociology #Gender #Abuse
This article asks a harder, unsettling question: how does sexual exploitation take hold and endure for decades – without chains? fairobserver.com/culture/sexu... @myfairobserver.bsky.social
#SexualExploitation #Agency #Power #CoerciveControl #Sociology #Gender #Abuse
Why Do the Beckhams Still Fascinate Us?
Where most celebrities rise, saturate the media and fade, former football star David Beckham remains in the limelight.
fairobserver.com
Brooklyn may have shattered the illusion of the Beckhams as the “perfect happy family” — but don’t expect our fascination to fade. If anything, it just intensified.
🔗 fairobserver.com/culture/why-...
via @myfairobserver
#Beckhams #CelebrityCulture #Fame #Family #Media
🔗 fairobserver.com/culture/why-...
via @myfairobserver
#Beckhams #CelebrityCulture #Fame #Family #Media
YouTubing Reality
Since its inception in 2007, YouTube has evolved from a simple video-sharing site into the world’s dominant media platform,
fairobserver.com
From broadcast schedules to algorithmic attention: YouTube didn’t just disrupt television — it reordered everyday media life — a theme familiar to readers of
@theoryculturesociety.org
@bjsociology.bsky.social
@sagesaga.bsky.social
🔗 fairobserver.com/business/tec...
#Sociology #Culture #MediaPower
@theoryculturesociety.org
@bjsociology.bsky.social
@sagesaga.bsky.social
🔗 fairobserver.com/business/tec...
#Sociology #Culture #MediaPower
YouTubing Reality
Since its inception in 2007, YouTube has evolved from a simple video-sharing site into the world’s dominant media platform,
fairobserver.com
Is TV dead? Gen Z has already moved on — and YouTube is where attention now lives.
If you study media, culture, or sociology, you’ll want to read this
🔗 fairobserver.com/business/tec...
#MediaStudies #Sociology #CulturalStudies #SocialScience #Students
via @myfairobserver.bsky.social
If you study media, culture, or sociology, you’ll want to read this
🔗 fairobserver.com/business/tec...
#MediaStudies #Sociology #CulturalStudies #SocialScience #Students
via @myfairobserver.bsky.social
Brigitte Bardot was once a global fantasy — and later a lightning rod for hate.
Can we love the art when we reject the artist?
My new piece for @myfairobserver
coming soon.
#BrigitteBardot #Culture #Ethics
Can we love the art when we reject the artist?
My new piece for @myfairobserver
coming soon.
#BrigitteBardot #Culture #Ethics
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Dec 30
If we’re serious about inclusiveness, why do we still divide honours between Knights and Dames? Let’s modernise Britain: everyone “Sir.” Or (why not?) “Dame.” #UKHonours #Gender #Inclusivity #Equality #Britain #Politics #Culture #Satire #DameIdrisElba
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Dec 26
The #AllBlacks once dominated world rugby. But now #SouthAfrica have assumed control. Where once players were drawn from 4.5m whites, today they come from 65 million. NZ must feel how the rest of the world has felt for the past 100 years.
#RugbyUnion #Springboks ##NewZealand #RWC
#RugbyUnion #Springboks ##NewZealand #RWC
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Dec 23
Why Children Kill: The Incomprehensible Death of Rob Reiner
Director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their home. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been charged...
www.fairobserver.com
WHY CHILDREN KILL: THE INCOMPREHENSIBLE DEATH OF ROB REINER
Reiner and his wife were found dead in their Brentwood home. Their son Nick is charged with their murders. Why?
Read now in #FairObserver ⬇️
🔗 www.fairobserver.com/culture/why-...
Reiner and his wife were found dead in their Brentwood home. Their son Nick is charged with their murders. Why?
Read now in #FairObserver ⬇️
🔗 www.fairobserver.com/culture/why-...
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Dec 22
BREAKING: Widow Twankey may vanish from Aladdin pantos after complaints she’s “misogynistic and demeaning.” British Christmas traditions brace for another makeover. 🎭
#Pantomime #WidowTwankey #Christmas #Culture #Tradition #UK #Aladdin #Aladdin-sane
#Pantomime #WidowTwankey #Christmas #Culture #Tradition #UK #Aladdin #Aladdin-sane
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Dec 19
Joshua v Paul. Sabalenka v Kyrgios. When you grow up on UFC hype, WWE logic, reality TV & influencer culture, a YouTuber fighting an Olympic champ no longer feels sacrilegious. The line between “sport” and “entertainment”?
#Joshua Paul #Netflix #Tennis #SportBusiness #SportsMedia
#Joshua Paul #Netflix #Tennis #SportBusiness #SportsMedia
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Dec 15
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Dec 13
Cristiano Ronaldo in the New Media Ecosystem
Cristiano Ronaldo is the best-known, best-followed, best-paid and possibly just best football player in the world. But is...
www.fairobserver.com
“Ronaldo is the only foreign player worth what he earns because of the global exposure he brings.”
— former Saudi sports minister
What does that tell us about football now?
👉 www.fairobserver.com/culture/cris...
#SportsBusiness #GlobalExposure #FootballEconomics #Ronaldo
— former Saudi sports minister
What does that tell us about football now?
👉 www.fairobserver.com/culture/cris...
#SportsBusiness #GlobalExposure #FootballEconomics #Ronaldo
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Dec 10
Egypt and Iran are furious that Seattle will host a ‘Pride Match’ when they play each other at the World Cup. Maybe they should withdraw in protest.”
@fifaclubworldcup.bsky.social om @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social eFWC26 @BBC @itvfootball.bsky.social tball #WorldCup2026 #PrideMatch #LGBTQ #Football
@fifaclubworldcup.bsky.social om @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social eFWC26 @BBC @itvfootball.bsky.social tball #WorldCup2026 #PrideMatch #LGBTQ #Football
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Dec 10
Egypt & Iran are furious that #Seattle will host a Pride Match when they play each other at #WorldCup2026. Perfectly reasonable, of course — they’re only asking them to ditch #LGBTQ+ celebrations and follow medieval religious doctrine for the afternoon.
#Pride @FIFAcom
@ussoccer.com
#Pride @FIFAcom
@ussoccer.com
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Dec 10
In 1920, a politician declared: “The USA is leading the world with this imaginative legislation: everyone will follow us in banning alcohol. You wait — Prohibition will end drinking forever.” 🍷
#ForbiddenFruit @SkyNewsAust
@9NewsAUS
@7NewsAustralia
@abcnewsaustralia.bsky.social
#ForbiddenFruit @SkyNewsAust
@9NewsAUS
@7NewsAustralia
@abcnewsaustralia.bsky.social
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Dec 10
Australia’s Idiotic Social Media Ban
Australia’s social media ban for children under 16 is set to take effect on December 10 — becoming the world’s first prohibition...
fairobserver.com
🇦🇺Australia’s senseless under-16 social media ban kicks in.
My piece in @FairObserver explains why this doomed law will backfire spectacularly:
fairobserver.com/business/tec...
@abcnews4.com
#AusPol #SocialMediaBan #TeensOnline #DigitalRights #YouthCulture #Meta #Australia
My piece in @FairObserver explains why this doomed law will backfire spectacularly:
fairobserver.com/business/tec...
@abcnews4.com
#AusPol #SocialMediaBan #TeensOnline #DigitalRights #YouthCulture #Meta #Australia
82% of Brits want #Israel excluded from #Eurovision2026. New poll shows 7 in 10 back a UK boycott after the EBU cleared Israel to compete. Ireland, Spain, Slovenia & the Netherlands have already pulled out over #Gaza. #BBC backs Israel’s inclusion. The public doesn’t. #UKPolitics
#Eurovision edges toward a crisis of its own making. Boycotts aren’t always effective, but they're symbolic & #Spain’s withdrawal may be the 1st crack in the façade. #EBU could've taken a vote on #Israel, as it did with Russia. Now it risks a domino effect that could sink 2026.
If West Mids Police ban an entire fanbase on discredited claims & still insist “we haven’t made anything fit,” the Q isn’t whether someone should resign — it’s who goes 1st ... and #Birmingham wants to host the Women’s World Cup? #Accountability #MaccabiTelAviv #WomensWorldCup
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Nov 30
#Birmingham bids to host games in #WomensWorldCup. "Just one thing," says head of West Midlands Police. "We won't be allowing away fans."
Er, they're probably ALL away fans, chief.
"In that case, our force will have a few quiet nights."
#Football #WWC #FIFA #WestMidlandsPolice
Er, they're probably ALL away fans, chief.
"In that case, our force will have a few quiet nights."
#Football #WWC #FIFA #WestMidlandsPolice
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Nov 28
Australia’s Idiotic Social Media Ban
Australia’s social media ban for children under 16 is set to take effect on December 10 — becoming the world’s first prohibition...
fairobserver.com
Twelve days until Australia’s idiotic social-media ban kicks in. We should thank the Aussies for volunteering as the canaries in the coal pit — with similar fates.
fairobserver.com/business/tec...
#AusPol #SocialMediaBan #DigitalRights #Australia #Meta #TeensOnline
via @myfairobserver.bsky.social
fairobserver.com/business/tec...
#AusPol #SocialMediaBan #DigitalRights #Australia #Meta #TeensOnline
via @myfairobserver.bsky.social
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Nov 22
Australia’s Idiotic Social Media Ban
Australia’s social media ban for children under 16 is set to take effect on December 10 — becoming the world’s first prohibition...
fairobserver.com
Australia’s Idiotic Social Media Ban ... why it's doomed to fail.
fairobserver.com/business/tec...
@handle.invalid mau.bsky.social
@theheraldo.bsky.social dsun.bsky.social
@australia.theguardian.com
@skynewsrss.bsky.social sky.social
@brisbanetimes.bsky.social
@canberratimes.bsky.social
fairobserver.com/business/tec...
@handle.invalid mau.bsky.social
@theheraldo.bsky.social dsun.bsky.social
@australia.theguardian.com
@skynewsrss.bsky.social sky.social
@brisbanetimes.bsky.social
@canberratimes.bsky.social
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Nov 22
Australia’s Idiotic Social Media Ban
Australia’s social media ban for children under 16 is set to take effect on December 10 — becoming the world’s first prohibition...
fairobserver.com
Australia’s Idiotic Social Media Ban @elliscashmore
fairobserver.com/business/tec...
@abcnews4.com
@smhn.bsky.social
@theageaustralia.bsky.social
@7newsaustralia.bsky.social
@9newsaus.bsky.social
@abc7.bsky.social
fairobserver.com/business/tec...
@abcnews4.com
@smhn.bsky.social
@theageaustralia.bsky.social
@7newsaustralia.bsky.social
@9newsaus.bsky.social
@abc7.bsky.social
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Nov 20
fairobserver.com
A Century of Royal Scandal 👑🔥
From the 1936 abdication to the Andrew–Epstein debacle, I chart a 100 years of Windsor controversies in @fairobserver.bsky.social
An interactive timeline: fairobserver.com/timeline/a-c...
#RoyalFamily #Windsor #Monarchy #UKPolitics #Scandal #PrinceAndrew #Epstein
From the 1936 abdication to the Andrew–Epstein debacle, I chart a 100 years of Windsor controversies in @fairobserver.bsky.social
An interactive timeline: fairobserver.com/timeline/a-c...
#RoyalFamily #Windsor #Monarchy #UKPolitics #Scandal #PrinceAndrew #Epstein
Is Taylor Swift Really as Great as Shakespeare?*
Taylor Swift dominates global culture as her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, breaks sales records and cements her influence across media.
www.fairobserver.com
🚨 IS TAYLOR SWIFT REALLY AS GREAT AS SHAKESPEARE? 🎤🎨🎼
Her albums break records, her tours make history 🏟️—but can she match the artistic giants she now stands alongside?
READ NOW IN #FairObserver 👉 www.fairobserver.com/culture/is-t...
#TaylorSwift #PopCulture #Swifties #ArtisticGreatness #MusicCanon
Her albums break records, her tours make history 🏟️—but can she match the artistic giants she now stands alongside?
READ NOW IN #FairObserver 👉 www.fairobserver.com/culture/is-t...
#TaylorSwift #PopCulture #Swifties #ArtisticGreatness #MusicCanon
IS TAYLOR SWIFT REALLY AS GREAT AS SHAKESPEARE?🔥
Her albums break records, her tours make history 🏟️—she’s already a legend. But can she exceed the artistic giants she now stands alongside?
COMING SOON IN #FairObserver
#TaylorSwift #ErasTour #PopCulture #Swifties #ArtisticGreatness
Her albums break records, her tours make history 🏟️—she’s already a legend. But can she exceed the artistic giants she now stands alongside?
COMING SOON IN #FairObserver
#TaylorSwift #ErasTour #PopCulture #Swifties #ArtisticGreatness
Stabbing considered to be an isolated incident, says defence secretary. How about: Manchester synagogue attack (Oct 2025), Uxbridge (Oct 2025), Nottingham (June 2023), Reading (June 2020)? #TrainAttack #Security #PublicSafety @btsofficialtweets.bsky.social
@metpolice.bsky.social
@metpolice.bsky.social
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Oct 29
📘 1st published (privately): 1928, Florence
🚫 Banned: 1928–1960 in UK
✅ First legal UK edition: November 1, 1960
📚 Nov 1, 1960, @penguinbooksusa.bsky.social
published Lady Chatterley’s Lover after winning a landmark obscenity trial
#DHLawrence #LadyChatterleysLover #OnThisDay #Censorship
🚫 Banned: 1928–1960 in UK
✅ First legal UK edition: November 1, 1960
📚 Nov 1, 1960, @penguinbooksusa.bsky.social
published Lady Chatterley’s Lover after winning a landmark obscenity trial
#DHLawrence #LadyChatterleysLover #OnThisDay #Censorship