Q&A with sisterMAG’s Antonia Neubauer

Antonia and Theresa Neubauer are the founders of Berlin’s Carry-On Publishing and sisterMAG, a bi-monthly, digital-only publication in German and English that covers fashion, technology, digital trends, food, DIY and other lifestyle issues, and is aimed at widely interested, well-educated, independent women.

Mobile technology influencing the way we read, write

As the face of media changes, journalists and the public are adapting, both consciously and unconsciously, to new mobile technologies and multimedia news platforms.

AOL’s closure of various Patch sites brings hyperlocal journalism into the limelight

Patch, the network of hyperlocal news sites that have been heavily invested in by AOL since they purchased them in 2009, is having to be scaled back considerably, with “a number of Patches” to be closed on 7 October. These cut backs provoke further questioning of hyperlocal journalism and its longevity and place in the media world.

South Africa: New State of the Newsroom report dispels stereotypes

The stereotype that older journalists find it harder to adapt to the digital-first strategy than younger ones is not true, the first-ever State of the Newsroom report by Wits Journalism in South Africa has found.

As interest in Pinterest explodes, social site updates news-sharing features

It’s no secret that increasing social media interaction is a key concern for news outlets hoping to improve audience engagement. With very few exceptions, there’s not a news publication or organisation without at least a Twitter and Facebook account and social media serves as the primary online traffic source for mainstream media. Now, as Pinterest introduces more news-friendly features, (following in the footsteps of Facebook and LinkedIn) it is becoming increasingly clear that news content and distribution is as important to social media players as the networks themselves are to news orgs.

New sites show how digital media is helping drive innovation

The fact that developments in digital media are changing the face of journalism as we know it is not news to anyone. Supporters of the more traditional institution of journalism often view the speed and extent to which these developments are taking place somewhat anxiously. Undeniably, the development of digital media is affecting more institutionalised forms of journalism, however what is often not focussed on, as Mathew Ingram recently pointed out, is the positive side of this change – namely the dynamic innovation that digital developments not only facilitate but also encourage.

Popular Science cuts off comments – but could it damage content?

Online commenting issues are creeping above the line to become the main story for a number of digital publishers. As YouTube announces its plans to improve comments with a new Google+ enabled system, popsci.com declared its intention to remove commenting sections from its articles.

Mario García: What’s cooking with mobile and tablets

Nearly 70 companies will be presenting mobile and/or tablet publishing solutions at the World Publishing Expo from 7 to 9 October in Berlin. The range on offer covers the gamut of news publishers’ mobile activities. Visitors will have ample opportunity to find out from experts about all the latest trends in mobile publishing, both at the exhibit and in the various side events.

Washington Post launches Topicly, a new visual news platform

The Washington Post yesterday launched new visual reading feature ‘Topicly’ for its website and mobile platforms. Grouping articles by theme and then linking these under an image in a grid, the homepage is like a chequer board of different news topics, each leading to a wealth of relevant stories, commentaries, graphics and multimedia surrounding the issue.

Update: Horror and confusion as al-Shalab militants attack Nairobi’s Westgate Centre

The ongoing occupation of the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, which started when armed al-Shabab militants raided the building and held those inside it hostage, has reportedly taken the lives of 62 people (according to the Red Cross Kenya’s newly revised count), including Radio Africa presenter Ruhila Adatia Sood. The reports on the events have been unclear and uncertain; death tolls have been contested and there is still confusion surrounding the specific reasoning behind the violence – though al-Shabab have recently said they carried out the attack in response to Kenyan military activity in Somalia.