THEGAYUK

Tag: Media Watch

Read the latest news and analysis of media in the UK and abroad. Browse THEGAYUK’s entire archive on news about the media.

  • Gay dating app, Growlr just got sold for a lot of $$$s

    Gay dating app, Growlr just got sold for a lot of $$$s

    GROWLr just got sold Y’all!

    GROWLr has become the latest dating app, aimed at gay and bi men to be sold, and it was sold for some big $$$s!

    Although the amount paid for it is dwarfed by the amount paid by a Chinese gaming firm for Grindr, the buyers still parted with nearly $12,000,000 ($11.8m) for GROWLr and that’s not to be sniffed at. This also means the app is no longer gay-owned or operated and becomes an “acquired property” of the much larger company, The Meet Group.

    Currently, GROWLr has around 10 million users of which 200,000 of them use the app daily.

    Speaking about the acquisition, Geoff Cook, the CEO of The Meet Group, said, “In addition to reporting a strong quarter, I’m excited to announce the acquisition of Growlr, which provides a meaningful step into the large same-sex dating market and expands the base of users to whom we can deliver our live video product,

    “We are thrilled to add Growlr to The Meet Group portfolio,” said Cook.

    “Similar to what we have done with our other acquired properties, we plan to be aggressive in bringing our video model to Growlr. We expect to begin rolling out live video on Growlr in the fourth quarter of 2019.

    “We also see opportunities to grow advertising revenue on the app, and we plan to further invest in user acquisition to expand brand awareness and reach.”

  • Matt Lucas calls out two tabloids for inaccurate reporting

    Matt Lucas calls out two tabloids for inaccurate reporting

    The comedian took to Twitter to call out two of Britain’s leading tabloid newspapers for false reporting over Finding Neverland Michael Jackson tweet.

    Back in February, Matt Lucas said, that Michael Jackson could “rot” after watching the forthcoming documentary film, Leaving Neverland about the alleged abuse of two boys by the late singer.

    However, since that tweet, Matt has said that a handful of Jackson’s fans have harassed him, saying that he had even received a death threat by one sick person.

    Both The Sun and The Mirror picked up the story, but inserted that Matt Lucas had called Jackson a “paedo”. A word that Matt never actually used in his original tweet.

    Taking to Twitter Matt wrote, “I don’t know why but both The Mirror and The Sun have misquoted me. I did not call Michael Jackson a ‘paedo’ at any point.”

    Leaving Neverland is going to be broadcast in the UK on the 6th and 7th March 2019 on Channel 4. The film, which will be split into two episodes, documents alleged abuse against two boys James Safechuck and Wade Robson.

  • Attitude publisher tells David Lammy to “f**k yourself” after “white saviour” tweet

    Attitude publisher tells David Lammy to “f**k yourself” after “white saviour” tweet

    The publisher of Attitude Magazine, who has raised over £350,000 for an AIDS charity to spend in Africa has lashed out at the MP David Lammy after “White Saviour” tweet.

    The publisher of one of the UK’s biggest LGBT+ Magazines, Darren Styles, has lashed out at the MP, David Lammy after the MP tweeted that the world did not need any more “white saviours”, following on from the publication of a picture showing BBC presenter and journalist, Stacey Dooley holding an African child in her arms, while she was filming a documentary for Comic Relief.

    The MP for Tottenham, wrote, “The world does not need any more white saviours. As I’ve said before, this just perpetuates tired and unhelpful stereotypes. Let’s instead promote voices from across the continent of Africa and have serious debate”

    While the MP admitted that the tweet wasn’t “personal” to Dooley he did blast the charity Comic Relief writing, “My problem with British celebrities being flown out by Comic Relief to make these films is that it sends a distorted image of Africa which perpetuates an old idea from the colonial era”.

    Darren Styles, OBE who publishes Attitude Magazine responded to Lammy’s tweet, calling the MP’s view on colour “poisonous” and stating that he had raised over £350,000 for an AIDS charity to spend in Africa.

    Taking to Twitter Styles wrote, “As a white man who has raised more than £350k for an AIDS charity to spend in Africa you can go fuck yourself. I’ll spend my life and my time how I see fit, and do what good I can wherever I can based on need, rather than your poisonous view of my (or anyone’s) colour”.

    https://twitter.com/bydarrenstyles/status/1101023340758814721

  • Brands are receiving backlash over healthy eating social posts

    Brands are being warned over the posts they publish on social media, particularly over the subject of healthy eating.

    CREDIT: ©-belchonock-Depositphotos

    Topics covered over social media in 2019 cover a variety of subjects, the one surrouding healthy eating can cause a Twitter storm if not handled in the right way warns industry experts, which came with the warning “For brands venturing into this topic, it is essential to consider planning in advance and staying away from political and divisive subjects”.

    The latest immediate future report, using data analysed from Brandwatch, looks at the rising ‘healthy eating’ and ‘healthy food’ conversations on social media in the UK. Whilst most posts are positive, there is a significant number of passionately angry and disgruntled ones. The backlash spikes around those organisations pushing the healthy eating agenda such as brands, government and celebrity chefs.

    Anger drives social sharing.

    Katy Howell, CEO at immediate future, says, “Shares, accounting for almost 40% of social posts, are driven by two core behaviours: anger (and some pretty spicy language), at the affordability and cost of eating healthy food; and the making of healthy foods, from recipes and planning, to food origins.”

    Social data analysed using social intelligence tool, Brandwatch, shows that 39% of posts around cost, mention the issue of affordability of healthy food options and 30% declare eating well is expensive. And it’s the 42% men on social, talking healthy eating, that tend to rant the most!

    Rising year on year healthy eating is predicted to continue an upward trend on social. The conversations don’t just spike in January, they run through the year as UK consumers are increasingly conscious of, and educated about, what they eat. For relevant brands this is an opportunity to raise awareness and engage with consumers in a shopping category that is burgeoning.

    Katy continues, “Joining the healthy food trends is perfect for food, fitness and weight-loss brands. However, companies must plan. Awareness of the topics that both spark debate and anger should form part of your brand’s approach. Transparency and authenticity are key if you don’t want to be battling negativity on social.”

    The report, reviews a year’s worth of social data, looking at posts that mention healthy eating and healthy foods and it’s available for free at http://po.st/eatwell

  • Jacob Rees-Mogg to host a new show on LBC

    LBC and Jacob Rees-Mogg have inked a deal to see the EU sceptic and anti-gay rights MP host a regular hour-long show on the station.

    The MP for North East Somerset, Jacob Rees-Mogg is to join the LBC roster list for a weekly show, on Friday evenings at 6 PM. LBC have signed the Tory MP after the apparent success of his half-hour phone in on Nick Ferrari‘s breakfast show.

    Speaking to LBC, the MP, who has voted against every piece of legislation which affects the rights of LGBT+ people in the UK, said,

    “To present a weekly show on LBC at such a crucial time for our nation is an unmissable opportunity for me,

    “Through the phone-ins with Nick Ferrari and the programmes I have already presented, I have thoroughly enjoyed conversing directly with LBC’s listeners.

    “Their honesty, insight and wisdom have challenged and inspired me. While I will be behind the microphone, they will take centre stage.

    “With Brexit at the top of the agenda and opinions running high, I look forward to finding out what the public really thinks over the next couple of months and to continuing the national debate on LBC.”

    Representation?

    Rees-Mogg will be joining a roster of presenters that also includes, Nigel Farage. The station which broadcasts across the UK currently has just one regular female presenter for a daily show, Shelaigh Forgarty and has just one BAME presenter in Maajid Nawaz.

    Previously LBC contracted Katie Hopkins to host a show on the station, but she left in 2017. After she left, Owen Jones fronted a Saturday morning slot for a limited period.

    James Rea, LBC’s managing editor, said, “With the country in a state of political confusion, Jacob Rees-Mogg joins the LBC line-up during an extraordinary period.

    “An outspoken voice on Brexit, he will bring his inside knowledge and vast experience in politics to Friday evenings on LBC, with our 2.1 million weekly listeners across the UK, as always, in the driving seat of the conversation.”

  • Grindr has effectively closed its online magazine Into

    Grindr has effectively closed its online magazine Into

    The entire editorial team has been laid off

    CREDIT: Ryazan / BIGSTOCK

    Grindr‘s digital magazine, Into, which was launched in 2017, has been effectively shuttered with all its editorial staff, contributors and social media workers laid off as the Chinese-owned dating app company looks to focus on other areas, including “video”.

    Scott Chen, who was last month lambasted for saying that he believed that marriage was “a holy matrimony between a man and a woman” (a statement which he was forced to clarify) wrote to the outlet’s team to say the company was going to focus its efforts on video.

    He announced the layoffs in an email, which Out have published.

    He wrote,

    “Team,

    As with any growing business, we have to continually evaluate what is best for Grindr. After a thoughtful and collaborative process, we decided to modify INTO’s content mix to rely more heavily on video. This decision was driven by the high user engagement and development we see through channels such as video and YouTube.

    This was a difficult decision, but with this new strategic focus, several INTO employees will be leaving the company. Our leadership is proud of the work INTO has done and know that it has served an important role in our business and overall mission.

    We want to thank our INTO colleagues for their contributions to Grindr and wish them well. In the meantime, we ask that we all stay focused on fulfilling our important mission together and serving the LGBTQ+ community.

    In the coming weeks, we will be sharing our 2019 goals and beginning the process to redefine our mission,vision, and values as an organization.

    Best,
    Scott”

    According to available stats from SimilarWeb, IntoMore.com receives over 7.5 million unique readers a month, bigger than all of its main competitors.

    Into‘s staff replied with a statement, which read,

    “During our nearly two years, we created incredible, award-winning content for and about the LGBTQ community worldwide,

    “We have been awarded with a GLAAD nomination and honored by the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA); we were also given a special award from the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF). We told stories of transgender prisoners forced to endure nightmarish treatment behind bars, LGBTQ asylum seekers looking for hope and refuge in the United States, and drag queens fighting for space and community in small town Tennessee.

    “We shared the hopes and joys of the LGBTQ community, our successes and setbacks, and our triumphs and heartaches during a vulnerable political moment. We aimed to give a voice to those who need one now more than ever, a platform for them to see themselves represented wholly.”

  • Why does the NewNowNext website redirect to Twitter?

    Why does the NewNowNext website redirect to Twitter?

    Due to certain EU regulations, some US websites have decided against showing pages to EU residents – and LGBT news site NewNowNext appears to be one of them.

    In 2018 the European Union enacted a raft of rules for its “data subjects” to protect their online privacy – basically anyone who accesses the web in the EU is protected by these laws – and companies, particularly news outlets were left stratching their heads about how to deal with the new laws and how to stay legal.

    It left many websites and their owners completely unsure on what or how to operate in the EU. Some US companies decided to pull out of the EU altogether and just push EU visitors to a holding page.

    It appears that the LOGO TV website, NewNowNext.com is one of those websites.

    They redirect anyone in the EU who visit their URL to their Twitter page. In May they told one reader, who asked why they were unable to access the site “We are working on getting our sites GDPR compliant”.

    Other websites who do not allow people living in the EU to access their sites include titles from Tribune Publishing, whose newsbrands include The Chicago Tribune and the New York Daily News.

  • Awards company owned by LGBT+ media mogul goes into liquidation

    An awards company which was owned by LGBT media mogul Linda Riley has gone into voluntary liquidation.

    A company for which Linda Riley was listed as a director has fallen into liquidation. Global Diversity Awards Limited, previously known as Global Diversity Award Limited was put into liquidation in September 2018. It appointed Yiannis Koumettou as its liquidator.

    It had according to its Statement of Affairs posted at Companies House, just £387.00 in assets but apparently owes HMRC over £130,000.

    Private Eye notes that the company went into voluntary liquidation owing £265,000.

    Ms Riley has numerous appointments listed on companies house. One of the most recent appointments for a similarly named company called Global Diversity Agency Ltd. Her role as director of that firm was confirmed on the 9th April 2018.

     

     

     

     

  • BBC announces its first LGBT+ correspondent for BBC News

    The BBC has announced that it has hired its first LGBT+ Correspondent for its news service.

    Ben Hunte has been appointed the BBC’s first LGBT+ correspondent for BBC News, a role which he’ll start in the New Year.

    This newly created role will report on the stories, issues and debates surrounding sexuality and gender and focus on providing insight and analysis on matters affecting the LGBT community in the UK.

    Ben played a key part during the coverage of the BBC’s Gay Britannia season and presented his own series of LGBT-themed programmes on BBC Radio 4 and 4 Extra called “The Ben Hunte Interviews”. He interviewed a range of high profile guests including Paul O’Grady and Stephen K Amos. This year Ben also became the presenter of BBC What’s New?, the BBC’s first TV programme and digital service for children in Africa.

    Ben Hunte said, “I’m delighted to be taking on this important new role for BBC News and I am looking forward to finding and telling stories from the LGBT community.”

    Richard Burgess, UK News Editor for BBC News, said, “BBC News has a rich heritage of covering issues and debates from the LGBT community. This year we announced our first gender and identity correspondent, Megha Mohan, and I’m thrilled that Ben will be taking up this dedicated role which aims to strengthen our offering of LGBT stories and original journalism across the BBC”.

    Ben Hunte graduated from the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus with a degree in Neuroscience, before studying TV Journalism at City University of London.

    The BBC isn’t the first mainstream news company to hire a specific LGBT+ correspondent for their coverage. In 2017 the Evening Standard hired Amy Ashenden, but the role was short lived and Amy moved to PinkNews.

  • The John Lewis Christmas advert is here and it’s got Elton in it

    The John Lewis Christmas advert is here and it’s got Elton in it

    Here it is: the Elton John Lewis Christmas advert.

    Here at TGUK tower, Christmas doesn’t officially start until we see the John Lewis advert. In the past, we’ve been left in a collective ball of sobbing queens. This year is no exception, but you’ll have to wait for the very last frame before the squish factor really comes in.

    The story focuses on Elton John sitting at the piano, recalling his life as a mega pop star through his famous hit, “Your Song”. All throughout the years, his trusty piano has been by his side.

    Of course, the advert has left many on social media divided.

    Some, of course, are very cynical,

     

     

    For some it was welcomed with open arms

    Some used the advert to take a swipe at the government

    Anyway, enjoy and remember, THIS. HAS. NOTHING. TO. DO. WITH. THE. NEW. ELTON JOHN FILM OR TOUR….

     

     

     

  • Facebook bans body positive Naked Rugby Calendar Photographer

    Facebook bans body positive Naked Rugby Calendar Photographer

    The photographer of The Naked Rugby Players calendar has been booted off Facebook for posting a promo picture from the calendar.

    The world’s largest social network Facebook has kicked off the photographer of the Naked Rugby Players charity calendar, despite no genitalia being shown. The calendar, which celebrates inclusive rugby, body positivity and raises money for cancer charity, Balls To Cancer, is due for official launch towards the end of September.

    The calendar which is now on sale features six inclusive rugby teams across the UK and includes 71 gay, bi, straight and trans men from all over the UK, who took their kit off to raise money and awareness for male cancers and inclusive rugby.

    However, after sharing one of the promo pictures, the calendar’s very own photographer Monty McKinnen was booted off the Facebook platform for seven days.

    The ban comes just a few weeks after another body positive magazine found itself falling foul of Facebook-owned Instagram’s “puritanical” community guidelines.

    Taking to Twitter the official account for the Naked Rugby Players wrote, “Our photographer @MontyMcKinnen has been booted from #Facebook AGAIN for showing off some of The #NakedRugby Players assets whilst promoting #BodyPositivity and supporting @Ballstocancer – Best to follow him and us here to keep up to date on our picture releases!”

     

    To view the “offending” image CLICK HERE (NSFW)