Freddie Johnson
@playawfulthings.bsky.social
Advocate for the social web and tech policy.
Chat to me about the social web, dogs, comics, history & politics.
Chat to me about the social web, dogs, comics, history & politics.
Sad to be leaving after 3 formative, brilliant years but so proud of what we've achieved as a team ❤️
The work Newsmast does matters and I wish them all the best. They'll always have a supporter in me, and I will remain engaged in and an advocate for the social web 🕸✊️
The work Newsmast does matters and I wish them all the best. They'll always have a supporter in me, and I will remain engaged in and an advocate for the social web 🕸✊️
As Freddie, @playawfulthings.bsky.social, comes to the end of his time with the Newsmast Foundation team, we'd like to take a moment to celebrate all he's achieved.
Freddie has been with us since the start, from the original idea and through the many evolutions that have grown Newsmast.
Freddie has been with us since the start, from the original idea and through the many evolutions that have grown Newsmast.
December 18, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Sad to be leaving after 3 formative, brilliant years but so proud of what we've achieved as a team ❤️
The work Newsmast does matters and I wish them all the best. They'll always have a supporter in me, and I will remain engaged in and an advocate for the social web 🕸✊️
The work Newsmast does matters and I wish them all the best. They'll always have a supporter in me, and I will remain engaged in and an advocate for the social web 🕸✊️
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
We're thrilled to welcome @benparker140.bsky.social to the Newsmast Foundation team!
Co-founder of The New Humanitarian and a former international aid worker, Ben joins us as Editor. He'll be helping keep our Channel experience looking good across the Social Web through careful curation 🧹
Co-founder of The New Humanitarian and a former international aid worker, Ben joins us as Editor. He'll be helping keep our Channel experience looking good across the Social Web through careful curation 🧹
December 4, 2025 at 2:03 PM
We're thrilled to welcome @benparker140.bsky.social to the Newsmast Foundation team!
Co-founder of The New Humanitarian and a former international aid worker, Ben joins us as Editor. He'll be helping keep our Channel experience looking good across the Social Web through careful curation 🧹
Co-founder of The New Humanitarian and a former international aid worker, Ben joins us as Editor. He'll be helping keep our Channel experience looking good across the Social Web through careful curation 🧹
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
1/3 Case study: how can we have less toxic, non-extractive #SocialMedia, that works the way internet pioneers originally envisioned?
Well, look no further than my old haunt @thebristolcable.bsky.social, and my new #Fediverse friends the @newsmastfoundation.org!
Well, look no further than my old haunt @thebristolcable.bsky.social, and my new #Fediverse friends the @newsmastfoundation.org!
November 20, 2025 at 8:53 AM
1/3 Case study: how can we have less toxic, non-extractive #SocialMedia, that works the way internet pioneers originally envisioned?
Well, look no further than my old haunt @thebristolcable.bsky.social, and my new #Fediverse friends the @newsmastfoundation.org!
Well, look no further than my old haunt @thebristolcable.bsky.social, and my new #Fediverse friends the @newsmastfoundation.org!
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
And @alexandrageese.bsky.social is on fire today. Frustration from yesterday's tech sovereignty summit? #EuroskyLive
"What's the real reason for the lack of enforcement? Fear of the Americans. (…) They need to fight for their own democracy." — @alexandrageese.bsky.social #EuroskyLive
November 19, 2025 at 9:36 AM
And @alexandrageese.bsky.social is on fire today. Frustration from yesterday's tech sovereignty summit? #EuroskyLive
November 19, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
This week, @playawfulthings.bsky.social & @michaelfoster.bsky.social are heading to Germany for the European Digital Sovereignty Summit and @eurosky.social Live 💫
Links to learn more about each event are below 👇
#SocialWeb #Eurosky #DigitalSovereignty
Links to learn more about each event are below 👇
#SocialWeb #Eurosky #DigitalSovereignty
November 17, 2025 at 11:30 AM
This week, @playawfulthings.bsky.social & @michaelfoster.bsky.social are heading to Germany for the European Digital Sovereignty Summit and @eurosky.social Live 💫
Links to learn more about each event are below 👇
#SocialWeb #Eurosky #DigitalSovereignty
Links to learn more about each event are below 👇
#SocialWeb #Eurosky #DigitalSovereignty
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
Local news and community in one app 📱
We are incredibly excited and, honestly, really proud to be launching The Bristol Cable iOS app with @thebristolcable.bsky.social today.
If you're a Cable member, check it out!
#SocialMedia #DigitalCommunity
We are incredibly excited and, honestly, really proud to be launching The Bristol Cable iOS app with @thebristolcable.bsky.social today.
If you're a Cable member, check it out!
#SocialMedia #DigitalCommunity
November 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Local news and community in one app 📱
We are incredibly excited and, honestly, really proud to be launching The Bristol Cable iOS app with @thebristolcable.bsky.social today.
If you're a Cable member, check it out!
#SocialMedia #DigitalCommunity
We are incredibly excited and, honestly, really proud to be launching The Bristol Cable iOS app with @thebristolcable.bsky.social today.
If you're a Cable member, check it out!
#SocialMedia #DigitalCommunity
There's a lot to look forward to at the #Fediverse track at #SFSCon but @saskiakezia.com and @michaelfoster.bsky.social talk on growing the open social web, in the context of liberalism's crisis.
We're heading to #SFSCon
We're really excited to meet a community of people passionate about free software and, specifically, those who are making the trip to Bolzano for the Fediverse track, sponsored by #FediForum 🎉
Our talk is in the Fediverse track on Friday. We hope we'll see you there!
We're really excited to meet a community of people passionate about free software and, specifically, those who are making the trip to Bolzano for the Fediverse track, sponsored by #FediForum 🎉
Our talk is in the Fediverse track on Friday. We hope we'll see you there!
November 7, 2025 at 8:49 AM
There's a lot to look forward to at the #Fediverse track at #SFSCon but @saskiakezia.com and @michaelfoster.bsky.social talk on growing the open social web, in the context of liberalism's crisis.
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
Yesterday, we visited @thebristolcable.bsky.social for their AGM to announce our exciting partnership.
The Bristol Cable is a co-op, 100% locally-owned publication and we're very proud to be developing new ways to help them connect with their community away from Big Tech.
#LocalJournalism
The Bristol Cable is a co-op, 100% locally-owned publication and we're very proud to be developing new ways to help them connect with their community away from Big Tech.
#LocalJournalism
October 10, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Yesterday, we visited @thebristolcable.bsky.social for their AGM to announce our exciting partnership.
The Bristol Cable is a co-op, 100% locally-owned publication and we're very proud to be developing new ways to help them connect with their community away from Big Tech.
#LocalJournalism
The Bristol Cable is a co-op, 100% locally-owned publication and we're very proud to be developing new ways to help them connect with their community away from Big Tech.
#LocalJournalism
Politicians that have showed up in my dreams:
Ted Heath
Barack Obama
💫New💫 George Bush Sr. (Simpsons version)
💫New💫 John McCain (Simpsons version)
Ted Heath
Barack Obama
💫New💫 George Bush Sr. (Simpsons version)
💫New💫 John McCain (Simpsons version)
September 26, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Politicians that have showed up in my dreams:
Ted Heath
Barack Obama
💫New💫 George Bush Sr. (Simpsons version)
💫New💫 John McCain (Simpsons version)
Ted Heath
Barack Obama
💫New💫 George Bush Sr. (Simpsons version)
💫New💫 John McCain (Simpsons version)
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
Started watching #theHack on ITV and want more? 'After the Hack', our recap show with @bylinetimes.bsky.social is now out! Weekly episodes on the real politics and behind the scenes goss of the phone hacking scandal, plus what action you can take to build a better media
youtu.be/VlCYtc_IGoU?...
youtu.be/VlCYtc_IGoU?...
After The Hack | Preview Show with Byline Times & Impress
YouTube video by Byline TV
youtu.be
September 26, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Started watching #theHack on ITV and want more? 'After the Hack', our recap show with @bylinetimes.bsky.social is now out! Weekly episodes on the real politics and behind the scenes goss of the phone hacking scandal, plus what action you can take to build a better media
youtu.be/VlCYtc_IGoU?...
youtu.be/VlCYtc_IGoU?...
Pay to illuminate the Caravaggio. A pay wall for art.
September 21, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Pay to illuminate the Caravaggio. A pay wall for art.
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
Advice please: what are the new local journalism outlets sticking it to power? I'm thinking of publications like the Bristol Cable, Inside Croydon and West Country Voices. Which others should be on the list? Thanks.
September 15, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Advice please: what are the new local journalism outlets sticking it to power? I'm thinking of publications like the Bristol Cable, Inside Croydon and West Country Voices. Which others should be on the list? Thanks.
Such a wonderful presenter and a wonderful show. A powerful piece of our country's intellectual life.
Every episode is so refreshing because it demands something from its audience - almost totally alone in the media landscape.
Thanks Melvyn! A wonderful project.
Every episode is so refreshing because it demands something from its audience - almost totally alone in the media landscape.
Thanks Melvyn! A wonderful project.
‘It’s been quite a ride!’ Melvyn Bragg to step down from Radio 4’s In Our Time after 27 years
‘It’s been quite a ride!’ Melvyn Bragg to step down from Radio 4’s In Our Time after 27 years
The broadcaster is leaving the hit BBC programme after presenting more than 1,000 episodes and having ‘enriched the lives of millions’
Melvyn Bragg has announced that he will be leaving BBC Radio 4 show In Our Time after hosting it for 27 years. He launched it in October 1998, after being asked to present a programme during what was known as “the death slot” because of its low Thursday morning audience figures.
The show, which explores the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world, has proved extremely popular. It celebrated its 1,000th episode in 2023 and is regularly one of the BBC’s most listened to on-demand programmes worldwide. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 4, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Such a wonderful presenter and a wonderful show. A powerful piece of our country's intellectual life.
Every episode is so refreshing because it demands something from its audience - almost totally alone in the media landscape.
Thanks Melvyn! A wonderful project.
Every episode is so refreshing because it demands something from its audience - almost totally alone in the media landscape.
Thanks Melvyn! A wonderful project.
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
Please provide your input on @blackskyweb.xyz Community Guidelines (use of the feed, moderation, app, as well as developer/network services).
Anyone using our feeds, subscribed to our mod service, on the PDS/relay
Provide input via the following link 🗳️: assembly.blacksky.community/6carwc4nzj
Anyone using our feeds, subscribed to our mod service, on the PDS/relay
Provide input via the following link 🗳️: assembly.blacksky.community/6carwc4nzj
Blacksky People's Assembly
Blacksky People's Assembly – a space for public deliberation and collective decision-making.
assembly.blacksky.community
September 3, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Please provide your input on @blackskyweb.xyz Community Guidelines (use of the feed, moderation, app, as well as developer/network services).
Anyone using our feeds, subscribed to our mod service, on the PDS/relay
Provide input via the following link 🗳️: assembly.blacksky.community/6carwc4nzj
Anyone using our feeds, subscribed to our mod service, on the PDS/relay
Provide input via the following link 🗳️: assembly.blacksky.community/6carwc4nzj
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
Today, we're launching the first Beta of Bounce, a tool that lets you migrate your social graph across protocols!
We got such a positive response from our announcement, and we're so excited for folks to try it out.
Here's what you need to know when you Bounce: blog.anew.social/bounce-beta-...
We got such a positive response from our announcement, and we're so excited for folks to try it out.
Here's what you need to know when you Bounce: blog.anew.social/bounce-beta-...
August 25, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Today, we're launching the first Beta of Bounce, a tool that lets you migrate your social graph across protocols!
We got such a positive response from our announcement, and we're so excited for folks to try it out.
Here's what you need to know when you Bounce: blog.anew.social/bounce-beta-...
We got such a positive response from our announcement, and we're so excited for folks to try it out.
Here's what you need to know when you Bounce: blog.anew.social/bounce-beta-...
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
Today, we're launching $1 & $2 tiers on our Patreon so more of our community can support us!
As a part of that, we also wanted to share where our funding is currently coming from and what community funding can help lead to for the future of Bridgy Fed & Bounce.
Check it out in the post below 👇🏼
As a part of that, we also wanted to share where our funding is currently coming from and what community funding can help lead to for the future of Bridgy Fed & Bounce.
Check it out in the post below 👇🏼
New $1-2 Patreon Tiers! And Funding Update
Hey everyone 👋🏼
Following the successful launch of the Bounce Beta last week, we felt this would be a good opportunity to review how A New Social is progressing eight months in. I wanted to provide s...
blog.anew.social
September 2, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Today, we're launching $1 & $2 tiers on our Patreon so more of our community can support us!
As a part of that, we also wanted to share where our funding is currently coming from and what community funding can help lead to for the future of Bridgy Fed & Bounce.
Check it out in the post below 👇🏼
As a part of that, we also wanted to share where our funding is currently coming from and what community funding can help lead to for the future of Bridgy Fed & Bounce.
Check it out in the post below 👇🏼
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
I've been paying for Bridgy Fed myself, out of pocket, since the beginning. I'm happy to, and I'll continue to, but it's not cheap. We have big ideas and plans for the future, and funding is our main blocker. Please help if you can!
Today, we're launching $1 & $2 tiers on our Patreon so more of our community can support us!
As a part of that, we also wanted to share where our funding is currently coming from and what community funding can help lead to for the future of Bridgy Fed & Bounce.
Check it out in the post below 👇🏼
As a part of that, we also wanted to share where our funding is currently coming from and what community funding can help lead to for the future of Bridgy Fed & Bounce.
Check it out in the post below 👇🏼
New $1-2 Patreon Tiers! And Funding Update
Hey everyone 👋🏼
Following the successful launch of the Bounce Beta last week, we felt this would be a good opportunity to review how A New Social is progressing eight months in. I wanted to provide s...
blog.anew.social
September 2, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I've been paying for Bridgy Fed myself, out of pocket, since the beginning. I'm happy to, and I'll continue to, but it's not cheap. We have big ideas and plans for the future, and funding is our main blocker. Please help if you can!
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
The media is broken and it’s breaking us.
Owned by billionaires, wired for division, built to distract.
But around the world, rebels & reformers are rising.
This is the #MediaRevolution
🌀 Join the countdown to 5 Nov: Media Liberation Day.
🔗 mediarevolution.org
Owned by billionaires, wired for division, built to distract.
But around the world, rebels & reformers are rising.
This is the #MediaRevolution
🌀 Join the countdown to 5 Nov: Media Liberation Day.
🔗 mediarevolution.org
July 28, 2025 at 7:25 AM
The media is broken and it’s breaking us.
Owned by billionaires, wired for division, built to distract.
But around the world, rebels & reformers are rising.
This is the #MediaRevolution
🌀 Join the countdown to 5 Nov: Media Liberation Day.
🔗 mediarevolution.org
Owned by billionaires, wired for division, built to distract.
But around the world, rebels & reformers are rising.
This is the #MediaRevolution
🌀 Join the countdown to 5 Nov: Media Liberation Day.
🔗 mediarevolution.org
July 26, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
A good 70% of the fighting over AI would have been avoided if VC hucksters (and gullible access journalists) hadn't conflated incrementally useful automation with computational sentience to make money
July 11, 2025 at 2:15 PM
A good 70% of the fighting over AI would have been avoided if VC hucksters (and gullible access journalists) hadn't conflated incrementally useful automation with computational sentience to make money
Australia seeing #JofraArcher take a wicket in his first over after *4 years* of injury #Cricket #EngVsInd
a man in a suit says he 's back in front of two other men
Alt: Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, reacting to the resurrection of Voldemort. Visibly dishevelled and horrified, suit jacket over pyjamas saying "He's back!"
media.tenor.com
July 11, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Australia seeing #JofraArcher take a wicket in his first over after *4 years* of injury #Cricket #EngVsInd
Bristol graffiti ❤️
July 1, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Bristol graffiti ❤️
Reposted by Freddie Johnson
We're really excited to be attending @atproto.london this evening!
@playawfulthings.bsky.social and @saskiakezia.com will both be there to chat decentralised social media, learn more about AT protocol, and enjoy the drinks very kindly provided by @graze.social 🥂
See you soon!!
@playawfulthings.bsky.social and @saskiakezia.com will both be there to chat decentralised social media, learn more about AT protocol, and enjoy the drinks very kindly provided by @graze.social 🥂
See you soon!!
June 19, 2025 at 11:19 AM
We're really excited to be attending @atproto.london this evening!
@playawfulthings.bsky.social and @saskiakezia.com will both be there to chat decentralised social media, learn more about AT protocol, and enjoy the drinks very kindly provided by @graze.social 🥂
See you soon!!
@playawfulthings.bsky.social and @saskiakezia.com will both be there to chat decentralised social media, learn more about AT protocol, and enjoy the drinks very kindly provided by @graze.social 🥂
See you soon!!
Peace plans - Dead
Tariffs - Dead
Mass deportations - Dying?
In the first *6 months*
What is he going to do for *3 years*
He'll quit, right? It can't go on.
Tariffs - Dead
Mass deportations - Dying?
In the first *6 months*
What is he going to do for *3 years*
He'll quit, right? It can't go on.
BREAKING: The decision suggested that the scale of President Trump’s mass deportation campaign — an issue that is at the heart of his presidency — is hurting industries and constituencies that he does not want to lose.
June 14, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Peace plans - Dead
Tariffs - Dead
Mass deportations - Dying?
In the first *6 months*
What is he going to do for *3 years*
He'll quit, right? It can't go on.
Tariffs - Dead
Mass deportations - Dying?
In the first *6 months*
What is he going to do for *3 years*
He'll quit, right? It can't go on.