Gareth Harding
@garethbxl.bsky.social
Brussels-based writer, journalism lecturer and media trainer.
Reposted by Gareth Harding
This chart (which applies even more to social media than it did to TV) lives in my head rent free.
Social media enveloping traditional media means everything and everyone is now competing in the entertainment market. Boring stuff like policy that affects millions of lives doesn’t stand a chance.
Social media enveloping traditional media means everything and everyone is now competing in the entertainment market. Boring stuff like policy that affects millions of lives doesn’t stand a chance.
November 23, 2025 at 8:24 PM
This chart (which applies even more to social media than it did to TV) lives in my head rent free.
Social media enveloping traditional media means everything and everyone is now competing in the entertainment market. Boring stuff like policy that affects millions of lives doesn’t stand a chance.
Social media enveloping traditional media means everything and everyone is now competing in the entertainment market. Boring stuff like policy that affects millions of lives doesn’t stand a chance.
Reposted by Gareth Harding
Such a desperately sad headline. I feel like every time politicians think of something like this, they should go through the mental exercise of replacing the words "asylum seekers" with "Jews fleeing the Nazis" and see how that resonates with their conscience.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Asylum seekers’ jewellery could be seized to pay for processing costs, says Home Office minister
Idea borrowed from Denmark is latest attempt to reduce number of people seeking asylum in UK
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Such a desperately sad headline. I feel like every time politicians think of something like this, they should go through the mental exercise of replacing the words "asylum seekers" with "Jews fleeing the Nazis" and see how that resonates with their conscience.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Reposted by Gareth Harding
Hundreds of thousands of people, dead because of a decision made by the world's richest man
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Hundreds of thousands of people, dead because of a decision made by the world's richest man
“The project is described as a prime example of 'belgo-belge' politics, where regional-federal tensions, party rivalries and symbolic posturing have overtaken practical problem-solving.”
www.brusselstimes.com/1829144/schu...
www.brusselstimes.com/1829144/schu...
Schuman's roundabout facelift project might end up in court
The canopy project has then been shelved after EU funding plea failed, resulting in tension between regional and federal bodies and laying bare Brussels party politics.
www.brusselstimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:29 AM
“The project is described as a prime example of 'belgo-belge' politics, where regional-federal tensions, party rivalries and symbolic posturing have overtaken practical problem-solving.”
www.brusselstimes.com/1829144/schu...
www.brusselstimes.com/1829144/schu...
Reposted by Gareth Harding
In short, the ANES data shows:
📉 Social media use is shrinking
💥 Twitter/X posting has moved ~50 points to the right
🧩 Platforms are splintering
🔊 Fewer people are talking — but those still talking are more politically extreme
📉 Social media use is shrinking
💥 Twitter/X posting has moved ~50 points to the right
🧩 Platforms are splintering
🔊 Fewer people are talking — but those still talking are more politically extreme
October 30, 2025 at 8:09 AM
In short, the ANES data shows:
📉 Social media use is shrinking
💥 Twitter/X posting has moved ~50 points to the right
🧩 Platforms are splintering
🔊 Fewer people are talking — but those still talking are more politically extreme
📉 Social media use is shrinking
💥 Twitter/X posting has moved ~50 points to the right
🧩 Platforms are splintering
🔊 Fewer people are talking — but those still talking are more politically extreme
Great reporting from my parents’ hometown of Caerphilly - where the leftist nationalist party Plaid Cymru saw off a threat from Farage’s far-right Reform party in a bitter by-election.
The Welsh town that saw off Nigel Farage – video
The Welsh town that saw off Nigel Farage – video
In last week's byelection in the Welsh constituency of Caerphilly, Reform UK were the hot favourites, and the focus of huge attention. But as John Harris and John Domokos saw close-up, a Reform win failed to happen thanks to a story most of the media didn't see: how online fear and loathing were beaten back by community spirit, facts trumping fury, and everyday empathy
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Great reporting from my parents’ hometown of Caerphilly - where the leftist nationalist party Plaid Cymru saw off a threat from Farage’s far-right Reform party in a bitter by-election.
Reposted by Gareth Harding
The Netherlands has issues but is an extraordinarily successful society - rich, safe, healthy and beautiful, with outstanding public services.
Unfortunately a lot of people take this for granted, and believe politicians who claim to be patriots while claiming everything is terrible
Unfortunately a lot of people take this for granted, and believe politicians who claim to be patriots while claiming everything is terrible
I'm going to blame part of this on the fact that no-one wants to stand up and admit that this is is a beautiful, wonderful, successful country, which has a manageable number of problems, most of which are related to the fact that too many people want to live in our lively, historic vibrant cities.
October 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM
The Netherlands has issues but is an extraordinarily successful society - rich, safe, healthy and beautiful, with outstanding public services.
Unfortunately a lot of people take this for granted, and believe politicians who claim to be patriots while claiming everything is terrible
Unfortunately a lot of people take this for granted, and believe politicians who claim to be patriots while claiming everything is terrible
Reposted by Gareth Harding
It is wild that the 🇺🇸 Vice President is calling senior Republican staffers, men in their 30s, "young boys" in order to excuse their leaked racist, sexist and Hitler-praising text messages.
open.substack.com/pub/jill/p/t...
open.substack.com/pub/jill/p/t...
October 16, 2025 at 9:07 AM
It is wild that the 🇺🇸 Vice President is calling senior Republican staffers, men in their 30s, "young boys" in order to excuse their leaked racist, sexist and Hitler-praising text messages.
open.substack.com/pub/jill/p/t...
open.substack.com/pub/jill/p/t...
POLITICO prediction vs reality.
October 13, 2025 at 1:10 PM
POLITICO prediction vs reality.
Reposted by Gareth Harding
Christ this is grim, seeing it laid out this way.
The far right is now the most popular party in the UK, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Poland…
Unprecedented
The far right is now the most popular party in the UK, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Poland…
Unprecedented
Largest political parties in Europe according to polls
⚫ Far-right
🔵 Center-right
🟡 Center-liberal
🔴 Left
⚫ Far-right
🔵 Center-right
🟡 Center-liberal
🔴 Left
October 12, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Christ this is grim, seeing it laid out this way.
The far right is now the most popular party in the UK, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Poland…
Unprecedented
The far right is now the most popular party in the UK, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Poland…
Unprecedented
Reposted by Gareth Harding
"We took the freedom of speech away," says the president
Trump: "We took the freedom of speech away because that's been through the courts and the courts said you have freedom of speech, but what has happened is when they burn a flag it agitates and irritates crowds."
October 8, 2025 at 8:02 PM
"We took the freedom of speech away," says the president
The EU: big on the small things, small on the big.
MEPs have voted to ban meat-related terms like burger, steak, and sausage for plant-based meat alternatives.
European Parliament votes to ban ‘veggie burger’ labels
European Parliament votes to ban 'veggie burger' labels
www.brusselstimes.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The EU: big on the small things, small on the big.
‘The Brussels bubble has found its voice. Unfortunately, it’s ChatGPT’s’. Brilliant, amusing, rant against AI slop in EU circles where dull, samey writing was already a problem.
"Why does this Brussels-bubble EU influencer sound just like the wholesome animal content in my Instagram feed?"
The Brussels bubble has found its voice. Unfortunately, it’s ChatGPT’s
www.brusselstimes.com
October 8, 2025 at 6:39 PM
‘The Brussels bubble has found its voice. Unfortunately, it’s ChatGPT’s’. Brilliant, amusing, rant against AI slop in EU circles where dull, samey writing was already a problem.
Reposted by Gareth Harding
Incredible insider account of Trump’s ignorance and petulance. But also of how effective his temper tantrums and bullying taxtics are.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
‘I’m leaving,’ Trump said. ‘There’s no reason to be here any more’: inside the meeting that brought Nato to the brink
Former secretary general Jens Stoltenberg recalls the rollercoaster ride of dealing with Donald Trump – and how close the US president brought the alliance to the point of collapse
www.theguardian.com
October 4, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Incredible insider account of Trump’s ignorance and petulance. But also of how effective his temper tantrums and bullying taxtics are.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Gareth Harding
It’s refreshing to hear someone - Zach Polanski, new leader of the UK Green Party - actually making the case for migration as a good thing. Not a view you hear very often at the moment, even from those ostensibly on the centre left
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
October 3, 2025 at 3:59 PM
It’s refreshing to hear someone - Zach Polanski, new leader of the UK Green Party - actually making the case for migration as a good thing. Not a view you hear very often at the moment, even from those ostensibly on the centre left
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Gareth Harding
exactly like the Chinese surveillance state
Larry Ellison envisions a surveillance state in which techbros rule. '“Citizens will be on their best behavior, because we’re constantly recording and reporting everything that is going on,” Ellison said in an hour-long Q&A during Oracle’s Financial Analyst Meeting last week.'
Larry Ellison predicts rise of the modern surveillance state where ‘citizens will be on their best behavior’ | Fortune
Oracle's Larry Ellison believes citizens and police alike will be under constant surveillance of each other.
fortune.com
September 29, 2025 at 10:33 PM
exactly like the Chinese surveillance state
Further proof that Britain’s far-right Reform Party is full of Putin puppets.
A key Brexiteer has pleaded guilty to shilling for a foreign power during his time as an MEP.
How a Brexit MEP took Russian bribes in Brussels
How a Brexit MEP took Russian bribes in Brussels
www.brusselstimes.com
September 30, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Further proof that Britain’s far-right Reform Party is full of Putin puppets.
“Trump and Putin – like-minded, amoral, authoritarian apex predators – are working together, or at least in parallel, to undercut European democracy, security, prosperity and progressive values. It looks like a concerted pincer movement. It feels like 1939.” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Trump and Putin are threatening to carve up Europe between them. Suddenly, it all feels a bit 1939 | Simon Tisdall
Forget the US president’s seeming volte-face on Ukraine this week: he and Putin fundamentally agree that European liberal democracy is the problem, says Guardian foreign affairs commentator Simon Tisd...
www.theguardian.com
September 29, 2025 at 6:53 AM
“Trump and Putin – like-minded, amoral, authoritarian apex predators – are working together, or at least in parallel, to undercut European democracy, security, prosperity and progressive values. It looks like a concerted pincer movement. It feels like 1939.” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Gareth Harding
This is the real threat to free speech.
The richest man on earth owns X.
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
The second richest man on earth is about to be a major owner of TikTok.
The third richest man owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The fourth richest man owns The Washington Post.
See the problem here?
September 25, 2025 at 6:37 AM
This is the real threat to free speech.
Reposted by Gareth Harding
Question to the room: which social channels do you use for EU-related communications?
X: Almost no one raises hand.
BlueSky or Mastodon: Almost no one.
LinkedIn: Almost everyone.
#EUinfluencer
X: Almost no one raises hand.
BlueSky or Mastodon: Almost no one.
LinkedIn: Almost everyone.
#EUinfluencer
September 19, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Question to the room: which social channels do you use for EU-related communications?
X: Almost no one raises hand.
BlueSky or Mastodon: Almost no one.
LinkedIn: Almost everyone.
#EUinfluencer
X: Almost no one raises hand.
BlueSky or Mastodon: Almost no one.
LinkedIn: Almost everyone.
#EUinfluencer
Reposted by Gareth Harding
I KNEW IT!!
it’s official, Dutch only makes sense if you’re drunk
it’s official, Dutch only makes sense if you’re drunk
September 19, 2025 at 10:41 AM
I KNEW IT!!
it’s official, Dutch only makes sense if you’re drunk
it’s official, Dutch only makes sense if you’re drunk
Reposted by Gareth Harding
Don't kill anyone.
Don't spread hate.
How about we all agree on that?
Don't spread hate.
How about we all agree on that?
September 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Don't kill anyone.
Don't spread hate.
How about we all agree on that?
Don't spread hate.
How about we all agree on that?