News avoidance has become huge internationally
The percentage of people who selectively avoid news has reportedly reached 39% globally. This is an increase of 10% in less than a decade. Blissful ignorance or doomscroll-induced anxiety? Pick your poison. It’s no secret that the state of the world is causing mass panic. Cost of living is on a...
Current in Media
Why has ‘Adolescence’ had such an impact?
The new Netflix limited series, following the family of a young boy who is arrested for murder, is already the most watched show in the UK and has infiltrated discussions in Parliament. Its success speaks to the insidious impacts of social media on a generation increasingly misunderstood by the...
What’s all the trouble with Disney’s Snow White?
A live-action remake of the 1937 classic has been hampered with controversy from the start. But why is a story about a princess, seven dwarfs, and an apple causing so much drama? For better or worse, Disney has been churning out live-action remakes of its classic tales for the past...
Pepsi purchases soda startup Poppi for $1.6 billion USD
The drinks giant PepsiCo has purchased Poppi, a prebiotic soda startup company first founded in 2018. It is part of the company’s efforts to attract Gen Z customers. It looks as though Pepsi is entering the prebiotic soda market, a particularly attractive sector for Gen Z consumers. In a statement...
Justin Bieber says he feels ‘unqualified’ amidst media speculation
Following months of social media concern over his health, the singer Justin Bieber took to his Instagram to update fans on his mental wellbeing. He has also recently faced scrutiny from previous relations with high-profile industry figures. Justin Bieber has opened up about some of his recent mental health struggles...
Reflecting on the Oscars and the limits of celebrity activism
For Zoë Saldaña, an Oscars win was the joyous crescendo of an incredible awards season. But it also became a stark indictment of Hollywood’s complex relationship with socio-political representation. Zoë Saldaña has enjoyed one of the most successful award season sweeps in recent memory, having taken home the prize for...
Offset gearing up for Russian show against UMG boycott
Next month, rapper and musician Offset will perform in Russia, despite his label Universal Music Group having boycotted the country since 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine. Offset is gearing up to perform in Russia next month. He is scheduled to appear on stage at MTC Live Hall in Moscow on April 18th 2025. The news was announced via his Instagram page, where he boasts 25 million followers....
Thousands of musicians are going silent in protest against AI
A new ‘silent album’ featuring the likes of Kate Bush and Damon Albarn is taking aim at UK government plans that would allow tech companies to mine the work of creatives. Over a thousand artists, including Kate Bush and Annie Lennox, have come together to release a unique album – it’s silent from start to finish. Titled ‘Is This What We Want?’, the 12-track release is a direct protest against proposed changes...
Latest figures suggest Gen Z are less interested in live music
New data from global research company GWI indicates that young people are reducing the number of festivals they attend or avoiding them completely in 2025. It looks like live music could be on the decline, at least in the UK. New research by GWI suggests that Gen Z are less interested in live music than they were six or so years ago before the pandemic began. 19% of Gen...
Charli XCX wins five Brit Awards for Brat
Charli XCX won five Brit Awards this year, taking home best artist, album and song of the year. Her victory lap is a testament to authentic pop music and reflects Brat’s meteoric rise to mainstream success in 2024. The musician and artist Charli XCX has swept up the accolades at this year’s Brit Awards, taking home five trophies including best artist, album and song of the year for ‘Guess.’ While accepting...
