In this episode of the BuzzStream Podcast, host Vince Nero talks with Dominic Ponsford, editor-in-chief of Press Gazette, about the state of journalism in the age of AI.
Dominic has covered the industry since the 1990s and offers a candid, data-informed look at how publishers are losing ground to Google, Meta, and AI platforms.
Plus the story behind Press Gazette's investigation into fabricated AI "experts" quoted across major UK news outlets, and what it all means for the future of PR.
⏰ Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
03:46 – The Google/AI content bargain, and who's really benefiting
09:44 – How newsrooms are using AI today (and what's coming next)
12:22 – UK vs. US: copyright, contract law, and new legal fronts against tech giants
17:56 – Tracking the real scale of journalism layoffs
20:26 – How publishers are fighting back: subscriptions, newsletters, YouTube, events
30:06 – Exposing AI-fabricated "experts" quoted across UK media
33:40 – DMCA takedowns and the "parasite SEO" industry
36:51 – Is the PR industry in trouble?
🔗 Resources mentioned:
- https://pressgazette.co.uk/
- https://pressgazette.substack.com/s/future-of-media-newsletter
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominicponsford/
- https://pressgazette.co.uk/platforms/cloudflare-says-bot-blocking-is-fueling-publisher-ai-deals/
- https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/journalism-job-cuts-in-2026-updates/
- https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/faces-of-fakery-more-fake-and-ai-generated-experts-con-their-way-into-media/
List IQ — https://www.buzzstream.com/listiq/👍 Like this episode, subscribe for more, and share it with your colleagues.💬 Have a question for Dominic? Reply to the Press Gazette newsletter, the BuzzStream newsletter, or drop a comment below.
