Ellis Cashmore | Lightnews

ELLIS CASHMORE

@elliscashmore.bsky.social

330 followers 170 following 410 posts

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

Videos

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%

Posts Replies Media Videos

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · 15h

Condoms gone in 3 days at the Olympic Village. Proof that peak performance isn’t confined to the sporting arena. 🥇😏🛏️
people.com/olympic-vill...
#Olympics #WinterOlympics #MilanCortina2026 #OlympicVillage #Olympians

Olympic Villages Run Out of Condoms at 2026 Games Due to 'Higher-Than-Anticipated Demand'

The Olympic villages at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics already ran out of condoms for the athletes, the organizing committee confirmed to PEOPLE on Saturday, Feb. 14.

people.com

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · 1d

Dart frog toxin: 200 times more potent than morphine? Drug dealers are taking advance orders. ‘We haven’t seen excitement like this since Breaking Bad,’ said one South American cartel figure. ‘A product that markets itself.’” news.sky.com/story/navaln...
#Putin #PoliticalAssassination

news.sky.com

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · 7d

Australia’s idiotic social media ban was always unpoliceable, easily evaded & perversely seductive to teenagers. Now parts of Europe are lining up to copy it — proof that bad policy travels fast.
fairobserver.com/business/tec...

#SocialMedia #TechPolicy #DigitalRegulation

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · 12d

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

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

Reposted by Ellis Cashmore

The Debate - France 24 @f24debate.france24.com · 13d

“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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · 24d

“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

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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · 26d

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

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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Jan 7

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

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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Jan 6

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

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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Jan 1

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

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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Dec 23

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-...

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

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

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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Dec 15

Bank manager: So, Mr McDonald, you’re applying for a $50,000 loan to attend next year’s World Cup finals. I quite understand — ticket prices, accommodation and travel will be eye-wateringly expensive.

Unfortunately, your council flat doesn’t really qualify as collateral
#WorldCup ⚽️ #FIFA #Football

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Dec 13

“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

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

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

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

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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Dec 10

🇦🇺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

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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Dec 9

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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Dec 4

#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.

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Dec 1

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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Nov 28

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

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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Nov 22

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

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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Nov 22

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

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

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Nov 20

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

fairobserver.com

ELLIS CASHMORE @elliscashmore.bsky.social · Nov 8

🚨 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

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.

Add to Home Screen

Light up
your news

Add to Home Screen

Light upyour news

Sign in to Lightnews

Sign up to start reading

Connect Bluesky

Connect with Bluesky

Light up
your news