Michael Savage
@michaelsavage.bsky.social
Media Editor for @theguardian.com. Likes ≠ endorsements, obv. Story? 👇👇👇
Michael.savage@theguardian.com
Need a secure way to contact me? Signal username: word_builder.20
Michael.savage@theguardian.com
Need a secure way to contact me? Signal username: word_builder.20
An extraordinary moment for the BBC as Tim Davie and head of BBC News are out.
So much to say on this - not least that BBC folk had been hoping for a pushback on the idea of general bias at the BBC.
But first, a story of the shock departure of two huge figures:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
So much to say on this - not least that BBC folk had been hoping for a pushback on the idea of general bias at the BBC.
But first, a story of the shock departure of two huge figures:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Tim Davie resigns as BBC director general after accusations of ‘serious and systemic’ bias in coverage
Davie says departure is ‘my own decision’, while head of news also quits with BBC preparing to apologise for editing of a Trump speech
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:40 PM
An extraordinary moment for the BBC as Tim Davie and head of BBC News are out.
So much to say on this - not least that BBC folk had been hoping for a pushback on the idea of general bias at the BBC.
But first, a story of the shock departure of two huge figures:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
So much to say on this - not least that BBC folk had been hoping for a pushback on the idea of general bias at the BBC.
But first, a story of the shock departure of two huge figures:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
CONFIRMED: BBC Director-General Tim Davie to step down
November 9, 2025 at 6:08 PM
CONFIRMED: BBC Director-General Tim Davie to step down
NEW: Lisa Nandy says she still has confidence in BBC leaders after Trump speech edit
BBC continues to be attacked for criticisms made by a former adviser.
While BBC set to apologise for error, some insiders also see a political campaign from the right:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC continues to be attacked for criticisms made by a former adviser.
While BBC set to apologise for error, some insiders also see a political campaign from the right:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Lisa Nandy says she still has confidence in BBC leaders after Trump speech edit
Culture secretary has spoken to BBC chair Samir Shah about criticised edit of US president’s 6 January 2021 speech
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:06 PM
NEW: Lisa Nandy says she still has confidence in BBC leaders after Trump speech edit
BBC continues to be attacked for criticisms made by a former adviser.
While BBC set to apologise for error, some insiders also see a political campaign from the right:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC continues to be attacked for criticisms made by a former adviser.
While BBC set to apologise for error, some insiders also see a political campaign from the right:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
NEW: Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy says she retains confidence in the BBC’s leadership, as it battles criticism of the way it edited a Donald Trump speech.
BBC to respond to that issue and other criticisms made by a former adviser tomorrow.
BBC to respond to that issue and other criticisms made by a former adviser tomorrow.
November 9, 2025 at 9:30 AM
NEW: Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy says she retains confidence in the BBC’s leadership, as it battles criticism of the way it edited a Donald Trump speech.
BBC to respond to that issue and other criticisms made by a former adviser tomorrow.
BBC to respond to that issue and other criticisms made by a former adviser tomorrow.
Reposted by Michael Savage
NEW: Celebrity Traitors has scored a rarity - getting Gen Z back to the sofa at a crucial time for the BBC.
More than half 16-24 audience watched every episode as it was broadcast.
The show was a "live event" - but had "always on" content. Can it show the way?
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
More than half 16-24 audience watched every episode as it was broadcast.
The show was a "live event" - but had "always on" content. Can it show the way?
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
How The Celebrity Traitors reversed TV’s most troubling trend
Fandom memes, influencers and TikTok deal helped secure industry’s holy grail: gen Z loyalty
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:36 AM
NEW: Celebrity Traitors has scored a rarity - getting Gen Z back to the sofa at a crucial time for the BBC.
More than half 16-24 audience watched every episode as it was broadcast.
The show was a "live event" - but had "always on" content. Can it show the way?
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
More than half 16-24 audience watched every episode as it was broadcast.
The show was a "live event" - but had "always on" content. Can it show the way?
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
NEW: Celebrity Traitors has scored a rarity - getting Gen Z back to the sofa at a crucial time for the BBC.
More than half 16-24 audience watched every episode as it was broadcast.
The show was a "live event" - but had "always on" content. Can it show the way?
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
More than half 16-24 audience watched every episode as it was broadcast.
The show was a "live event" - but had "always on" content. Can it show the way?
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
How The Celebrity Traitors reversed TV’s most troubling trend
Fandom memes, influencers and TikTok deal helped secure industry’s holy grail: gen Z loyalty
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:36 AM
NEW: Celebrity Traitors has scored a rarity - getting Gen Z back to the sofa at a crucial time for the BBC.
More than half 16-24 audience watched every episode as it was broadcast.
The show was a "live event" - but had "always on" content. Can it show the way?
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
More than half 16-24 audience watched every episode as it was broadcast.
The show was a "live event" - but had "always on" content. Can it show the way?
www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
NEW: A critical memo by an ex-BBC adviser has hit the beeb this week.
But some question the way it has come out & how Boris Johnson has reacted - as well as the role of figures from his time in power.
Johnson states this is "complete & utter bollocks".
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
But some question the way it has come out & how Boris Johnson has reacted - as well as the role of figures from his time in power.
Johnson states this is "complete & utter bollocks".
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Boris Johnson trying to undermine BBC leadership, insiders fear after leak
Director general under pressure after release of memo criticising reporting on Trump, trans rights and Gaza
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:55 PM
NEW: A critical memo by an ex-BBC adviser has hit the beeb this week.
But some question the way it has come out & how Boris Johnson has reacted - as well as the role of figures from his time in power.
Johnson states this is "complete & utter bollocks".
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
But some question the way it has come out & how Boris Johnson has reacted - as well as the role of figures from his time in power.
Johnson states this is "complete & utter bollocks".
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Create Your Wordle Puzzle
Choose a word for friends to guess, then share your own puzzle.
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Kudos to Sky News for a project trying to measure the political bias of the X algorithm. Looks like a lot of work involved here:
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Kudos to Sky News for a project trying to measure the political bias of the X algorithm. Looks like a lot of work involved here:
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
NEW: BBC risks being a Titanic, irrelevant to GenZ, unless it properly embraces the content they want, says The Sidemen manager.
Jordan Schwarzenberger says he supports the BBC - but attempts to force YouTube to give it prominence is a “defeatist mentality”:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Jordan Schwarzenberger says he supports the BBC - but attempts to force YouTube to give it prominence is a “defeatist mentality”:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC must change or be ‘a Titanic’, says manager of the Sidemen YouTubers
Jordan Schwarzenberger says BBC is becoming irrelevant to gen Z and risks crashing unless it attracts younger viewers
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:13 PM
NEW: BBC risks being a Titanic, irrelevant to GenZ, unless it properly embraces the content they want, says The Sidemen manager.
Jordan Schwarzenberger says he supports the BBC - but attempts to force YouTube to give it prominence is a “defeatist mentality”:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Jordan Schwarzenberger says he supports the BBC - but attempts to force YouTube to give it prominence is a “defeatist mentality”:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
NEW: The Culture, Media and Sport Committee demands to see a report, by former BBC adviser Michael Prescott, which criticised a Panorama programme on Trump and some of the BBC's Gaza conflict coverage.
Perhaps we'll get to see this document, which Prescott sent to the BBC's board.
Perhaps we'll get to see this document, which Prescott sent to the BBC's board.
November 4, 2025 at 4:07 PM
NEW: The Culture, Media and Sport Committee demands to see a report, by former BBC adviser Michael Prescott, which criticised a Panorama programme on Trump and some of the BBC's Gaza conflict coverage.
Perhaps we'll get to see this document, which Prescott sent to the BBC's board.
Perhaps we'll get to see this document, which Prescott sent to the BBC's board.
NEW: Rupert Murdoch's Talk breached impartiality rules in a show that repeatedly said Labour had cancelled local elections out of fear of Reform.
A rare move from Ofcom - but is this a change in approach?
It hasn't issued these rulings often recently...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
A rare move from Ofcom - but is this a change in approach?
It hasn't issued these rulings often recently...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
Talk breached impartiality rules with allegations about cancelled local elections, Ofcom rules
Claim that elections were cancelled because ministers were ‘terrified of Reform’ given rare rebuke by regulator
www.theguardian.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:02 PM
NEW: Rupert Murdoch's Talk breached impartiality rules in a show that repeatedly said Labour had cancelled local elections out of fear of Reform.
A rare move from Ofcom - but is this a change in approach?
It hasn't issued these rulings often recently...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
A rare move from Ofcom - but is this a change in approach?
It hasn't issued these rulings often recently...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
I’ve been off for a fortnight, and in that time the extraordinary battle over the Telegraph sale - within the pages of the Telegraph - has exploded again.
Fraser Nelson here with more, attacking the current proposed owners:
frasernelson.substack.com/p/when-will-...
Fraser Nelson here with more, attacking the current proposed owners:
frasernelson.substack.com/p/when-will-...
When will RedBird come clean over its plans for the Daily Telegraph?
It claims it will invest. So why is the newspaper being bled?
frasernelson.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:13 PM
I’ve been off for a fortnight, and in that time the extraordinary battle over the Telegraph sale - within the pages of the Telegraph - has exploded again.
Fraser Nelson here with more, attacking the current proposed owners:
frasernelson.substack.com/p/when-will-...
Fraser Nelson here with more, attacking the current proposed owners:
frasernelson.substack.com/p/when-will-...
Telegraph sale latest - extraordinary accusation from former editor Charles Moore that Gerry Cardinale (from prospective owner RedBird) said he would "go to war with our entire newsroom" over its inquiries into the sale.
RedBird contacted for comment.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10...
RedBird contacted for comment.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10...
Access Restricted
www.telegraph.co.uk
October 24, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Telegraph sale latest - extraordinary accusation from former editor Charles Moore that Gerry Cardinale (from prospective owner RedBird) said he would "go to war with our entire newsroom" over its inquiries into the sale.
RedBird contacted for comment.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10...
RedBird contacted for comment.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10...
Sometimes it is worth stepping back and reflecting on what is going on in the media at the moment - the political environment and the disruption.
Imagine telling anyone a decade ago this would come from the Pentagon in 2025.
Imagine telling anyone a decade ago this would come from the Pentagon in 2025.
October 22, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Sometimes it is worth stepping back and reflecting on what is going on in the media at the moment - the political environment and the disruption.
Imagine telling anyone a decade ago this would come from the Pentagon in 2025.
Imagine telling anyone a decade ago this would come from the Pentagon in 2025.
NYT to debut new TikTok-like "Watch" tab in its app
TikTok has changed social media with its algorithm. Now it’s changing the mainstream media.
It’s not clear what the consequences are of algorithmic attention seeking, other than it works.
www.axios.com/2025/10/21/n...
TikTok has changed social media with its algorithm. Now it’s changing the mainstream media.
It’s not clear what the consequences are of algorithmic attention seeking, other than it works.
www.axios.com/2025/10/21/n...
NYT to debut new TikTok-like "Watch" tab in its app
It's part of a broader effort to bring all of its journalism across mediums into a single destination.
www.axios.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:09 AM
NYT to debut new TikTok-like "Watch" tab in its app
TikTok has changed social media with its algorithm. Now it’s changing the mainstream media.
It’s not clear what the consequences are of algorithmic attention seeking, other than it works.
www.axios.com/2025/10/21/n...
TikTok has changed social media with its algorithm. Now it’s changing the mainstream media.
It’s not clear what the consequences are of algorithmic attention seeking, other than it works.
www.axios.com/2025/10/21/n...
Reposted by Michael Savage
Casting for Celebrity Traitors S2 is getting ridiculous
King Charles may be planning to send Prince Andrew to a castle in the Scottish Highlands, according to reports 👀
Prince Andrew faces exile to Highland town amid pressure to give up mansion
www.thenational.scot
October 22, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Casting for Celebrity Traitors S2 is getting ridiculous
Having done quite a lot previously to champion children’s literature, an interesting choice for the Today programme to interview Kiera Knightly about her new kids’ book.
Probably proving why it is so hard for publishers not to go down the celeb road.
Probably proving why it is so hard for publishers not to go down the celeb road.
October 22, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Having done quite a lot previously to champion children’s literature, an interesting choice for the Today programme to interview Kiera Knightly about her new kids’ book.
Probably proving why it is so hard for publishers not to go down the celeb road.
Probably proving why it is so hard for publishers not to go down the celeb road.
NEW: There was a big backlash to “Tilly Norwood”, the supposed AI actor.
It has served to surface a battle taking place on sets right now - over the data taken from performers and where it ends up.
My deep dive into the attempts to wrestle back some power:
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
It has served to surface a battle taking place on sets right now - over the data taken from performers and where it ends up.
My deep dive into the attempts to wrestle back some power:
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
October 17, 2025 at 3:10 PM
NEW: There was a big backlash to “Tilly Norwood”, the supposed AI actor.
It has served to surface a battle taking place on sets right now - over the data taken from performers and where it ends up.
My deep dive into the attempts to wrestle back some power:
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
It has served to surface a battle taking place on sets right now - over the data taken from performers and where it ends up.
My deep dive into the attempts to wrestle back some power:
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/oc...
SCOOP: A backlash is growing on sets over full body scans of actors, amid AI concerns.
Actor Olivia Williams has spoken to the Guardian about the need to claw back actors’ rights to their data and likeness.
Treat the data as strictly as nudity scenes, she says:
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Actor Olivia Williams has spoken to the Guardian about the need to claw back actors’ rights to their data and likeness.
Treat the data as strictly as nudity scenes, she says:
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Olivia Williams says actors need ‘nudity rider’-type controls for AI body scans
Dune star says performers are regularly pressed to have bodies scanned on set with few rights over how data is used
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
SCOOP: A backlash is growing on sets over full body scans of actors, amid AI concerns.
Actor Olivia Williams has spoken to the Guardian about the need to claw back actors’ rights to their data and likeness.
Treat the data as strictly as nudity scenes, she says:
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Actor Olivia Williams has spoken to the Guardian about the need to claw back actors’ rights to their data and likeness.
Treat the data as strictly as nudity scenes, she says:
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
NEW: BBC lambasted again over Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone.
Ofcom says it committed serious breach of broadcasting rules by failing to disclose child narrator was the son of a Hamas official.
BBC has already apologised, but it will now have to broadcast Ofcom's finding at 9pm on BBC2 (date TBC).
Ofcom says it committed serious breach of broadcasting rules by failing to disclose child narrator was the son of a Hamas official.
BBC has already apologised, but it will now have to broadcast Ofcom's finding at 9pm on BBC2 (date TBC).
October 17, 2025 at 9:58 AM
NEW: BBC lambasted again over Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone.
Ofcom says it committed serious breach of broadcasting rules by failing to disclose child narrator was the son of a Hamas official.
BBC has already apologised, but it will now have to broadcast Ofcom's finding at 9pm on BBC2 (date TBC).
Ofcom says it committed serious breach of broadcasting rules by failing to disclose child narrator was the son of a Hamas official.
BBC has already apologised, but it will now have to broadcast Ofcom's finding at 9pm on BBC2 (date TBC).
Jim's totally right - there is something about Omaze that has put it in a clicky media basket along with Martin Lewis, the Royals etc.
Suspect if you looked at number of people with Zoopla/Rightmove alerts, you'd see similar - the fetishisation of housing in a traditionally owner-occupier country?
Suspect if you looked at number of people with Zoopla/Rightmove alerts, you'd see similar - the fetishisation of housing in a traditionally owner-occupier country?
Ever since I wrote this (www.londoncentric.media/p/omaze-lond...) I've been obsessed with *the British obsession with* Omaze... this is their latest house in Yorkshire.
If this new build is worth £4.5m I'm a banana. Nothing's shifting at this price, not least because of crazy high stamp duty.
If this new build is worth £4.5m I'm a banana. Nothing's shifting at this price, not least because of crazy high stamp duty.
October 17, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Jim's totally right - there is something about Omaze that has put it in a clicky media basket along with Martin Lewis, the Royals etc.
Suspect if you looked at number of people with Zoopla/Rightmove alerts, you'd see similar - the fetishisation of housing in a traditionally owner-occupier country?
Suspect if you looked at number of people with Zoopla/Rightmove alerts, you'd see similar - the fetishisation of housing in a traditionally owner-occupier country?
Planet Earth having another totally normal one
October 16, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Planet Earth having another totally normal one
Ofcom used qualitative "focus groups", including GB News viewers, to reach the view there was "no consensus" to stop politicians fronting "current affairs" shows. Farage's show not classed as "news".
This new quantitative research appears to contradict that finding.
Could Nandy/Ofcom reopen this?
This new quantitative research appears to contradict that finding.
Could Nandy/Ofcom reopen this?
NEW: Net migration almost halved last year. But 84% of regular GB News viewers believe it went up.
More importantly, new research revealing this also suggests the public opposes politicians presenting shows - contradicting Ofcom.
Lisa Nandy now taking note:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...
More importantly, new research revealing this also suggests the public opposes politicians presenting shows - contradicting Ofcom.
Lisa Nandy now taking note:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...
GB News viewers more likely to wrongly believe net migration to UK rising, study finds
Research also finds majority of people are against letting politicians front current affairs programmes
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Ofcom used qualitative "focus groups", including GB News viewers, to reach the view there was "no consensus" to stop politicians fronting "current affairs" shows. Farage's show not classed as "news".
This new quantitative research appears to contradict that finding.
Could Nandy/Ofcom reopen this?
This new quantitative research appears to contradict that finding.
Could Nandy/Ofcom reopen this?
NEW: Net migration almost halved last year. But 84% of regular GB News viewers believe it went up.
More importantly, new research revealing this also suggests the public opposes politicians presenting shows - contradicting Ofcom.
Lisa Nandy now taking note:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...
More importantly, new research revealing this also suggests the public opposes politicians presenting shows - contradicting Ofcom.
Lisa Nandy now taking note:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...
GB News viewers more likely to wrongly believe net migration to UK rising, study finds
Research also finds majority of people are against letting politicians front current affairs programmes
www.theguardian.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:23 PM
NEW: Net migration almost halved last year. But 84% of regular GB News viewers believe it went up.
More importantly, new research revealing this also suggests the public opposes politicians presenting shows - contradicting Ofcom.
Lisa Nandy now taking note:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...
More importantly, new research revealing this also suggests the public opposes politicians presenting shows - contradicting Ofcom.
Lisa Nandy now taking note:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/o...