Jessica Bateman
@jessicabateman.bsky.social
Berlin-based journalist focused on gender, faith and extremism | Bylines Wash Post, BBC, Guardian, 1843 etc | European Press Prize winner 2025 | Covering Germany for Hyphen
Pinned
Jessica Bateman
jessicabatemanjournalist.com
Hi BlueSky! Looking forward to re-building a community here.
I'm a journalist based in Berlin after several years in Athens, Greece. I specialise in longform storytelling on gender, faith and extremism.
My website is jessicabatemanjournalist.com - and here are some of my favourite recent pieces 🧵
I'm a journalist based in Berlin after several years in Athens, Greece. I specialise in longform storytelling on gender, faith and extremism.
My website is jessicabatemanjournalist.com - and here are some of my favourite recent pieces 🧵
"[The older British media class] believe their own politics to be neutral, impartial- and other people’s politics to be the aberration, or doctrinaire, a belief egged on by the fact that most of the media agrees with them. Orthodoxies are for other people."
A must-read from @lewisgoodall.com
A must-read from @lewisgoodall.com
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
goodallandgoodluck.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
"[The older British media class] believe their own politics to be neutral, impartial- and other people’s politics to be the aberration, or doctrinaire, a belief egged on by the fact that most of the media agrees with them. Orthodoxies are for other people."
A must-read from @lewisgoodall.com
A must-read from @lewisgoodall.com
This is a really illuminating piece from @nstamouli.bsky.social on what the future of Europe could look like as we head into COP30: climate refugees are not a concept from the distant future, they are on the continent right now. www.politico.eu/article/euro...
Europe’s climate refugees: The Greek communities wiped off the map
Villages in the country’s agricultural breadbasket lie half-abandoned two years after catastrophic floods.
www.politico.eu
November 11, 2025 at 11:40 AM
This is a really illuminating piece from @nstamouli.bsky.social on what the future of Europe could look like as we head into COP30: climate refugees are not a concept from the distant future, they are on the continent right now. www.politico.eu/article/euro...
360 by Charli xcx is actually about Zohran Mamdani
November 5, 2025 at 4:50 PM
360 by Charli xcx is actually about Zohran Mamdani
This was a fascinating listen on the role religion has played in the NYC Mayoral election and the myriad of ways faith can shape our politics and voting habits
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
BBC World Service - Heart and Soul, Mamdani New York
Religion’s role in Zohran Mamdani’s meteoric rise in New York’s political scene.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 9:19 PM
This was a fascinating listen on the role religion has played in the NYC Mayoral election and the myriad of ways faith can shape our politics and voting habits
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w...
New work for @theobserveruk.bsky.social: I took a look at why sobriety is on the rise in Berlin, the world's capital of hedonism, and whether drug-free parties could help save nightlife venues from closure observer.co.uk/news/interna...
Berlin clubs kick the drug habit as sober nights lure crowds
The world’s unofficial nightlife capital is embracing a surprising narcotics-free trend among ravers
observer.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
New work for @theobserveruk.bsky.social: I took a look at why sobriety is on the rise in Berlin, the world's capital of hedonism, and whether drug-free parties could help save nightlife venues from closure observer.co.uk/news/interna...
As Ian Watkins was back in the news recently, it's worth remembering that police received complaints about him almost five years before he was arrested. The women who reported him were dismissed as "crazy exes." He was only charged after his computer was searched as part of a drugs-related raid.
October 13, 2025 at 12:34 PM
As Ian Watkins was back in the news recently, it's worth remembering that police received complaints about him almost five years before he was arrested. The women who reported him were dismissed as "crazy exes." He was only charged after his computer was searched as part of a drugs-related raid.
Horrific news out of Germany: a newly elected mayor in North-Rhine Westphalia – Iris Stalzer of the Social Democrats – is critically injured after being stabbed multiple times by an unknown perpetrator[s].
www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/a...
www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/a...
Neue Bürgermeisterin von Herdecke bei Messerangriff verletzt
Auf die neu gewählte Bürgermeisterin der Stadt Herdecke, Iris Stalzer, ist ein Messerangriff verübt worden. Nach Angaben der Polizei wurde sie dabei lebensgefährlich verletzt. Die Hintergründe der Tat...
www.tagesschau.de
October 7, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Horrific news out of Germany: a newly elected mayor in North-Rhine Westphalia – Iris Stalzer of the Social Democrats – is critically injured after being stabbed multiple times by an unknown perpetrator[s].
www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/a...
www.tagesschau.de/eilmeldung/a...
Reposted by Jessica Bateman
If you want to know what the UK government's position is on its obligations under the Genocide Convention in relation to its support for Israel, here's what it argued in court this summer.
September 16, 2025 at 8:39 AM
If you want to know what the UK government's position is on its obligations under the Genocide Convention in relation to its support for Israel, here's what it argued in court this summer.
Always had a soft spot for these guys, they seem fun ngl
8 Years Ago Today: Fans of Insane Clown Posse converged at the Lincoln Memorial in DC for the 'Juggalo March on Washington', demanding an end to the criminalization of their community and lifestyle due to the FBI classifying them a "hybrid gang":
September 16, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Always had a soft spot for these guys, they seem fun ngl
Reposted by Jessica Bateman
This is the most detailed look inside Tyler Robinson's Discord community I've seen and yet again, it gives us absolutely no clear motivation, political in or otherwise.
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/exclusive-...
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/exclusive-...
Exclusive: Leaked Messages from Charlie Kirk Assassin
Accused shooter’s “politics” is not what government and media say
www.kenklippenstein.com
September 16, 2025 at 7:01 PM
This is the most detailed look inside Tyler Robinson's Discord community I've seen and yet again, it gives us absolutely no clear motivation, political in or otherwise.
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/exclusive-...
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/exclusive-...
A must-read here
“What we are seeing is not about having a bad economy. It is the result of a year in which neither the government nor the opposition have been willing to draw red lines.” Excellent piece by @stephenkb.bsky.social on.ft.com/4pq7NHo
Starmer and Badenoch are handling the far-right march all wrong
A look back to the days of Enoch Powell suggests a better model
on.ft.com
September 16, 2025 at 7:56 AM
A must-read here
Reposted by Jessica Bateman
Good of the telegraph to remind us that as well as racist coked up men with prior convictions for dv, the racist march led by a racist that descended into racist violence also included some racists who shop at oliver bonas & think running the church fete tombola makes them nice people
September 16, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Good of the telegraph to remind us that as well as racist coked up men with prior convictions for dv, the racist march led by a racist that descended into racist violence also included some racists who shop at oliver bonas & think running the church fete tombola makes them nice people
Reposted by Jessica Bateman
This week many British parents found themselves being educated by their kids on who Kirk was. Debates about him popped up in unusual places, from local Facebook groups to Football Twitter.
I took at look at how the commentator amassed his surprising UK following:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
I took at look at how the commentator amassed his surprising UK following:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Turning Point Failed in the UK. Charlie Kirk Didn’t.
The late conservative activist has amassed a surprising following across the Atlantic.
www.politico.com
September 14, 2025 at 3:36 PM
This week many British parents found themselves being educated by their kids on who Kirk was. Debates about him popped up in unusual places, from local Facebook groups to Football Twitter.
I took at look at how the commentator amassed his surprising UK following:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
I took at look at how the commentator amassed his surprising UK following:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
This is an excellent analysis, and I highly recommend everyone reads this before jumping to any further conclusions!!
I wrote for @msnbc.com about what the engravings on the shell casings of Kirk’s shooter represent and where the references originated. Given what we know so far, they suggest a young man who had his brain fried by the irony poisoned, anti-social nature of certain aspects of online culture. /1
Opinion | What the shell casings in the assassination of Charlie Kirk do – and don't – tell us
There have been a string of shootings in the past year where the performance of online culture played a key role.
www.msnbc.com
September 15, 2025 at 8:36 AM
This is an excellent analysis, and I highly recommend everyone reads this before jumping to any further conclusions!!
This week many British parents found themselves being educated by their kids on who Kirk was. Debates about him popped up in unusual places, from local Facebook groups to Football Twitter.
I took at look at how the commentator amassed his surprising UK following:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
I took at look at how the commentator amassed his surprising UK following:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Turning Point Failed in the UK. Charlie Kirk Didn’t.
The late conservative activist has amassed a surprising following across the Atlantic.
www.politico.com
September 14, 2025 at 3:36 PM
This week many British parents found themselves being educated by their kids on who Kirk was. Debates about him popped up in unusual places, from local Facebook groups to Football Twitter.
I took at look at how the commentator amassed his surprising UK following:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
I took at look at how the commentator amassed his surprising UK following:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
@karenroberts.bsky.social Hey! I saw your post about your 17-year-old knowing about Charlie Kirk. I'm researching an article about his unexpected reach with young Brits on social media (I didn't know about this until today either). Would you be interested in having a quick chat with me?
September 11, 2025 at 4:45 PM
@karenroberts.bsky.social Hey! I saw your post about your 17-year-old knowing about Charlie Kirk. I'm researching an article about his unexpected reach with young Brits on social media (I didn't know about this until today either). Would you be interested in having a quick chat with me?
It's surprising to learn how many right-leaning Brits were following or at least aware of Charlie Kirk on social media. There are posts mourning him in my hometown Facebook group, and even a "Love Island Memes" group.
September 11, 2025 at 9:32 AM
It's surprising to learn how many right-leaning Brits were following or at least aware of Charlie Kirk on social media. There are posts mourning him in my hometown Facebook group, and even a "Love Island Memes" group.
I feel terrible for Kirk's children who will grow up knowing a video of their father's brutal death is all over the Internet. Compassion is not a finite resource and we all have the ability to try extend it to every single other human, even if they have said or done things we find abhorrent.
September 10, 2025 at 9:54 PM
I feel terrible for Kirk's children who will grow up knowing a video of their father's brutal death is all over the Internet. Compassion is not a finite resource and we all have the ability to try extend it to every single other human, even if they have said or done things we find abhorrent.
Saw an Insta advert saying Yarvin is "going head to head" with Alastair Campbell at this festival. I get that some people think it's smart to expose Yarvin's ideas through "debate", but this frames him as a legitimate intellectual when he's literally a blogger writing erotic fanfic for fascist CEOs
Why are Brian Cox, Alasdair Campbell, Mary Trump, Ash Sarkar and Terry Eagleton apparently sharing a platform with open fascist and racist Curtis Yarvin?
Wondering if Curtis Yarvin speaking at a middle class festival in London with a host of mainstream figures is some kind of joke.
September 9, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Saw an Insta advert saying Yarvin is "going head to head" with Alastair Campbell at this festival. I get that some people think it's smart to expose Yarvin's ideas through "debate", but this frames him as a legitimate intellectual when he's literally a blogger writing erotic fanfic for fascist CEOs
I just found this woman's real-life daughter is the new editor of Vogue and my mind is melting. Like did they do this on purpose or
September 2, 2025 at 8:09 PM
I just found this woman's real-life daughter is the new editor of Vogue and my mind is melting. Like did they do this on purpose or
I've been thinking about this a lot recently – why is it that the more activists and (some) journalists have worked to try and show the reality that people facing asylum face, the coarser and more uncaring our political discourse seems to become?
Ten years ago, the world saw the image of Alan Kurdi lying lifeless on a Turkish beach after his family’s boat sank on the way to Greece.
That photo shocked millions, but was also an example that the more we face extreme suffering, the faster we grow numb to it.
That photo shocked millions, but was also an example that the more we face extreme suffering, the faster we grow numb to it.
September 2, 2025 at 12:08 PM
I've been thinking about this a lot recently – why is it that the more activists and (some) journalists have worked to try and show the reality that people facing asylum face, the coarser and more uncaring our political discourse seems to become?
Some truly heartbreaking stories in here illustrating the tragedies that this policy will lead to
They tried students and they tried care workers, but that wasn't enough. Now they're coming for families.
My impassioned thoughts on today's sickening family reunion announcement.
open.substack.com/pub/notanoth...
My impassioned thoughts on today's sickening family reunion announcement.
open.substack.com/pub/notanoth...
Now they're coming after families
If today’s announcement felt like another crossing of the Rubicon, that's because it is.
open.substack.com
September 2, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Some truly heartbreaking stories in here illustrating the tragedies that this policy will lead to
By me, in @theobserveruk.bsky.social today: I profiled a Rabbi who has set up a community for the ex-Ultra Orthodox, in Dresden - a city with a reputation as a far-right stronghold observer.co.uk/news/interna...
From New Jersey to Germany: a rabbi’s search for liberalism
Akiva Weingarten’s younger life was shaped by Jewish orthodoxy, now he faces another form of extremism
observer.co.uk
August 31, 2025 at 12:22 PM
By me, in @theobserveruk.bsky.social today: I profiled a Rabbi who has set up a community for the ex-Ultra Orthodox, in Dresden - a city with a reputation as a far-right stronghold observer.co.uk/news/interna...
The life of a journalist online: I write 5500 words looking at the complex history of the German army and the public's relationship with it, and try include as many different views on rearmament as possible (inc many pro), and people are still mad about the headline.
(PS. I don't mind the headline)
(PS. I don't mind the headline)
Germany’s army is rebuilding. What could go wrong?
As Putin looms and Trump pulls back from NATO, Germany gears up to build the fourth largest army in the world.
As Putin looms and Trump pulls back from NATO, Germany gears up to build the fourth largest army in the world.
Germany’s Army Is Rebuilding. What Could Go Wrong?
As Putin looms and Trump pulls back from NATO, Germany gears up to build the fourth largest army in the world.
www.politico.com
August 30, 2025 at 7:30 AM
The life of a journalist online: I write 5500 words looking at the complex history of the German army and the public's relationship with it, and try include as many different views on rearmament as possible (inc many pro), and people are still mad about the headline.
(PS. I don't mind the headline)
(PS. I don't mind the headline)
Reposted by Jessica Bateman
I highly recommend this deep dive--featuring rich interviews with those involved--on the fight over the rebuilding of Germany's Bundeswehr by @jessicabateman.bsky.social in @politico.com
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Germany’s Army Is Rebuilding. What Could Go Wrong?
As Putin looms and Trump pulls back from NATO, Germany gears up to build the fourth largest army in the world.
www.politico.com
August 29, 2025 at 12:55 PM
I highly recommend this deep dive--featuring rich interviews with those involved--on the fight over the rebuilding of Germany's Bundeswehr by @jessicabateman.bsky.social in @politico.com
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...