Gogglebox star and former UKIP candidate Andy Michael dies at 61 August 27, 2021 Gogglebox star Andy Michael has died at the age of 61 following a short illness, a statement from Channel 4 and Studio Lambert on behalf of his family has said. The family first appeared on Gogglebox in the debut episode in 2013, but announced in 2014 that they were leaving because Michael was running for [...]
Blackmail plot: Shadow from ’90s ITV show Gladiator jailed for for six years August 27, 2021 Michael Jefferson King, 60, better known as Shadow from ‘90s television show Gladiators, has been jailed at Isleworth Crown Court for six years and three months for his role in a blackmail plot. The bodybuilder, famous for his starring role in the 1990s television programme, was one of four people who kept a man detained [...]
China targets internet algorithms that risk public order or ‘encourage addiction’ August 27, 2021 China has proposed a ban on algorithms that “encourage addiction or high consumption”, or risk national security or public order, in another round of its regulatory crackdown. In draft guidelines published by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) today, algorithm providers with “social mobilisation capabilities”, or algorithms with large public influence, should first apply through [...]
Fatal blood clot: Coroner rules AstraZeneca vaccine caused death of BBC host Lisa Shaw August 27, 2021 The death of award-winning BBC radio presenter Lisa Shaw was caused by complications as a result of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, a coroner in Newcastle has concluded. Shaw died in May, just over three weeks after she had her first dose of the jab, an inquest in Newcastle heard on Thursday. The 44-year-old – who [...]
Privatising Channel 4 ‘may destroy what is special’ about broadcaster, warns TV boss August 26, 2021 Privatising Channel 4 risks destroying what is “special” about the broadcaster, its chief content officer has said. The Government is currently consulting on plans to privatise the channel. However Ian Katz, chief content officer at Channel 4, questioned the logic behind a potential sale. Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, he said: “Pretty much to [...]
Woman who fell from elevated monkey during Bear Grylls race loses damages lawsuit August 26, 2021 A woman who suffered serious leg and shoulder injuries when she fell from an “elevated monkey ring obstacle” during a Bear Grylls Survival Race has lost a High Court damages fight. Margot Harrison, now 59, sued the race organiser and a subcontractor after getting hurt during the event in Enfield, north London, in October 2016 [...]
Ofcom slaps Chinese state-owned CGTN broadcaster with £200k fine August 26, 2021 Media watchdog Ofcom has fined a Chinese state-owned broadcaster £200,000 for failing to comply with broadcasting rules. The regulator said it had imposed the fine on Star China Media Limited, the licence holder for the China Global Television Network (CGTN), for breaches of its rules around fairness and privacy. CGTN, an international, English-language satellite news [...]
German publisher Axel Springer to buy US news site Politico August 26, 2021 Germany publishing giant Axel Springer has inked a deal to buy US website Politico as it beefs up its portfolio of digital news brands. The deal will also see the Berlin-based business acquire the 50 per cent of Politico Europe it does not already own, as well as tech news website Protocol. The two sides [...]
Forbes to go public through $630m Spac deal August 26, 2021 The publisher behind Forbes magazine has unveiled plans to go public through a blank-cheque deal that will value the company at $630m (£460m). The merger with Magnum Opus Acquisition Limited will raise around $600m for the business information brand. The deal also includes $400m in Pipe [private investment in public equity] funding that includes funds [...]
Relx snaps up Leeds software firm TruNarrative in £130m deal August 25, 2021 Relx has snapped up Leeds-based software group TruNarrative as the FTSE media giant continues to beef up its business through a string of acquisitions. TruNarrative, which was founded in 2016 and offers software that helps customers reduce risk and financial crime, will merge with the company’s LexisNexis Risk Solutions division. The company did not disclose [...]