Remote Notes

02/08/2023

In this edition of Remote Notes: Twitter/X is anti-journalism and anti-journalist. It's time for news to get off this unstable platform, where toxic and bigoted comments run right alongside your important brand.

Also, the AI Music explosion, and a podcast that shares revenue with musicians

01/06/2023

Scams are getting more convincing as AI learns to impersonate our voices and faces. Here's some advice on how to avoid being the victim of AI-generated fraud.

Also, an online course's questionable marketing and Facebook shows ads of counterfeit products

21/04/2023

Buzzfeed was once worth almost $2 billion. Now its market cap is under $100 million and still sinking. Also - Twitter continues to make puzzling, even infuriating moves.

Also, Netflix cuts password sharing and Twitter makes more strange moves

08/03/2023

That radio host you're listening to may not be a real person. What do you think about artificial DJs?

Also, a newspaper launches a nightly TV show, and Genesis releases a disappointing boxed-set

05/01/2023

In this week's edition of Remote Notes: How the George Santos scandal has exposed weakness in local news coverage. Also - a "Star Trek" favorite villain gets a podcast.

Also, the fast growth of Disney+ and a "Star Trek" favorite gets a podcast

24/12/2022

How the first video iPod saved “The Office.” https://mashable.com/article/the-office-apple-ipod-video-christmas-party?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1iHK3xh5nCj_vkFkKUpP5NinRJJKQiua68xItOUOC1V1c3nxISjlvYVo4

"Apple treated us better than our network."

06/12/2022

Find out about the most-streamed music and podcasts of 2022 and how Mariah Carey will spend Christmas in the metaverse.

Also: AMC Networks is in trouble, and Mariah Carey spends Christmas in the metaverse

21/11/2022

In this week's edition: I call on journalists to end their use of Twitter.
https://remotenotes.substack.com/p/time-for-journalists-to-quit-twitter?sd=pf

01/11/2022

Great interview with PR pro Barbara Macleod, plus an article written entirely by AI.

Plus a column written by AI, and how much of your mobile data plan YouTube uses

25/10/2022

Kristi Thalheimer Davin knows a lot about hiring and HR. So we went to her to find out about modern hiring practices, and their potential pitfalls.

Also: Taylor Swift breaks Spotify and a rant about LinkedIn writing "style"

19/10/2022

An experiment: An AI-powered news update from Remote Notes.

13/10/2022

Looking for some wisdom from the media industry's best? Check out the 25th edition of "Remote Notes," where we look at the best advice we've received on , and .

On the occasion of our first 25 newsletters, a look at some of the people who have given us great advice

29/09/2022

In this week's Remote Notes, a discussion of the toll on mental health that journalism can take. Also - where's our flying car?

Also, white supremacists litter Spotify and a review of a very modern musical instrument

21/09/2022

In this week's Remote Notes, anchor Amy Wood shares her thoughts on modernizing newsrooms. Also, Meghan Markle has a podcast and CNN is creating a new morning show.

Plus ... surprising data on how often podcasts are updated, and hear me on a podcast!

14/09/2022

The story of a successful local news startup leads this week’s Remote Notes. Also - how the media reacted to the death of the Queen, and a rebuttal to our “quiet quitting” note.

Plus coverage of the death of the Queen - how the media reacted and the surprising way the Palace announced her passing.

23/08/2022

The results of my experiment "boosting" posts (meh) and Spotify doesn't seem to recommend episodes of Joe Rogan's podcast - all part of this week's Remote Notes.

Also, Spotify dips a toe into the concert ticketing business and CNN cans its media criticism program

17/08/2022

A great discussion with veteran newsroom leader Kevin Benz tops this week's Remote Notes, as we look at empowering journalists to improve local reporting. Plus, the curious afterlife of a John Lennon song and we become a culture wars battleground.

Also, social media sees rise in calls for rebellion, and a virtual Beatles song that fans keep remixing

09/08/2022

In this week's Remote Notes: The psychology of politics, the Cox/Axios deal, and a Gen X freakout on Twitter.

02/08/2022

In this week's Remote Notes - reader feedback on my modest proposal to do away with traffic reports, the mess surrounding reporting Tony Dow's death, and how to write a great introduction.

Notes on podcasts, production and journalism with a touch of entertainment. Click to read Remote Notes, by Steve Safran, a Substack publication. Launched 3 months ago.

27/07/2022

I write about how the public should hold newsrooms accountable for better work. A reader points out that local journalists should do the same.

Also some recommendations from a Remote Notes Pal

04/07/2022

Happy Independence Day! Like many of you, we're taking the week off. But we'll be back on Monday, July 11, with a new edition of Remote Notes.

27/06/2022

Good friend and longtime colleague Mike Nikitas is in the hot seat (well, comfy seat) talking about local news and life after the anchor chair as he now teaches the next generation of communicators. That, plus an NFT that helps raise money to fight cancer and an early possibility for photo of the year in this week's Remote Notes. https://remotenotes.substack.com/p/broadcast-anchor-becomes-professor?utm_source=facebook&sd=pf&fbclid=IwAR17CKGiZ2xDTT4ZcT5IPgH48FjSC37PM7UFJbu5erI4D1mCaLisszCJtrY

06/06/2022

This week's edition of "Remote Notes" talks with David Yas, an attorney who opened his own local podcast production shop. That, plus a close look at the social media tool the Uvalde shooter used and a special announcement.

31/05/2022

A big thank you to everyone who has pushed Remote Notes past 50 likes and 70 subscribers! We're already growing much faster than I imagined. I appreciate your support in helping me build this service. Visit Remote Notes to sign up for your free subscription.
https://remotenotes.substack.com/

30/05/2022

As innovation happened, broadcast news tried desperately to hold on to the old model. That, plus "Star Wars" comics salute Pride Month, and the top titles coming to streaming in June. https://remotenotes.substack.com/p/why-legacy-media-failed-you?r=d2ivv&s=w&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

24/05/2022

Whether you're a journalist or just a fan of great podcasting, there's a lot to enjoy in Ally Donnelly's "The Hingham 'Cast," a hyperlocal podcast about her community. Find out how she made the transition from TV to podcasting, plus information about an important New York Times documentary and more in this week's Remote Notes.

Notes on podcasts, production and journalism with a touch of entertainment. Click to read Remote Notes, by Steve Safran, a Substack publication. Launched a month ago.

16/05/2022

NBC News Now is doing interesting work in the digital news space. Check out our Q&A with its EP, Mike Milhaven, in this edition. Also, we have an important warning about a new profile picture site.

Plus Great New Music And A Prediction About A Book That's A New Classic