We think everyone deserves an online space where *that* moment can be celebrated.
That's why we're building digital community spaces, apps which let you share the moment with your community, whilst staying connected to the world beyond.
ALT: A black and white video showing a young man with curly hair smiling at his mobile phone. Text reads, Just a few seconds after the game Paulo connects with everyone who saw that moment. Apps for supporters, locals, fans, groups, networks, communities. Build yours today. Newsmast Foundation.
Channels are evolving ✨
As our Foundation focuses our efforts to grow the Social Web in new areas, our 62-topical Channels will be phasing out to be replaced by tags.pub.
We encourage all Channel users to join the tags.pub project by opting in and sharing with hashtags. For more details on how to use tags.pub, please check out: https://tags.pub/
Please share this message so all Channel users are aware and so that we can continue growing discovery on the Social Web.
OUT NOW: 2026 Social Web Operations & Needs Assessment Report!
We surveyed operators hosting 6M ActivityPub accounts (~32% of the network).
Key takeaways:
- Overall growth in usage, creating pressure on operators
- Communities face surging botnets & regulatory pressure
- Shift toward third-party admin and moderation tooling
Read the full report & help safeguard the open social web:
https://about.iftas.org/2026/10/15/2026-social-web-operations-report/
#FediAdmins #FediMods #TrustAndSafety #MastoAdmin #Moderation
"Culture used to be a river. Broadcast platforms and public feeds carried ideas wide and fast. Today the river is splintering into streams, tributaries, and hidden pools."
This article by Brad Davidson is a brilliant insight into the shift away from algorithmic feeds towards small sanctuaries, highlighting the craving for social in our social media consumption.
If, like us, you're interested in shifting digital social spaces, check it out 👉️ https://www.truffleculture.com/culture-abandoning-mass-social-media/
@michael and @benparker will be travelling to Northern Ireland to attend the Public Interest News Foundation Summit!
There, they will meet with leaders in UK's independent news and showcase the work we are doing to help news publishers stay connected with their readers, here on the Social Web.
Walking away from the BigTech socials is not easy for many because of locked-in audiences. Despite the obvious doomscrolling, addiction by design, extreme (right) biasing and polarisation, there are still many people in those social media.
But what if communities would shape their own connected community spaces, and move there together? @Bonfire is showcasing some really impressive examples.
Or @newsmast. See our story: Our socials, not our trap: https://democratictech.fund/stories/newsmast/
Want to hear Saskia and Ben discuss the power of bubbles on social media? 🫧
Check out our talk from FediDay here 👉️ https://fair.tube/w/1d5qbTYzJEWaj4ssb7Vun7
Our friends at @newsmast are working on a new version of the Tŵt mobile app and are testing a few bits and pieces, fixing some bugs, adding some new features...
You'll notice a badge that marks these testing accounts as being Tŵt Support (Newsmast) - apologies for the test posts, it's the only way to verify functionality.
Have you ever wondered when we lost the social in social media?
'Social', as defined by the Cambridge English Dictionary, means "relating to activities in which you meet and spend time with other people and that happen during the time when you are not working".
It's time to bring back digital spaces which are social.
But, do we need a new term to highlight the goals of these new spaces? Any suggestions?
#SocialWeb #SocialMedia #BigTech #DigitalCommunities #Fediverse
And we have officially launched (and joined Mastadon!)
We're a monthly book club, connecting in person and virtually, for people who care about democracy. HQ in Chicago, book clubs nationwide.
First on the docket is On Tyranny.
Our Mastodon app is coming soon, built in partnership @newsmast.
Sign up now to organize or join a club: https://www.democracybookclub.org
Wake up, September is over ⏰️
For us, September was a month full of adventures with our team dividing to tackle four countries in two weeks. We met leaders in civil society, news product, digital security, journalism, community regeneration, and, of course, in the Social Web space.
We've just about caught up with everything, now we're looking forward to a slightly quieter October...
It's International Podcast Day so, what better day of the year to talk about our work with Find Out Media.
When the Find Out team approached us to build a dedicated mobile app for their listeners, we couldn't contain our excitement.
Now, the Find Out Social app has over 10,000 users. All listeners of the podcast who are able to interact with the hosts, guests, and fellow supporters in one dedicated space! 🎙️ 🫂
#Podcast #FindOutCrew #FindOutSocial #FindOutMedia #SocialWeb
So many organisations and groups are realising that big follower counts don't really mean that much.
We're a UK charity leading the conversation around building community on the social internet. We've even been recognised at the Open Social Awards where we won the Grand Prize! 🏆️
We're helping them realise that bigger isn't always better... and that meaningful, engaged community, is often higher value.
Today is the International Day of Peace 🕊️
Peace begins and ends with behaviour. We believe in an online world where we can treat one another with respect and dignity, rather than drive behaviour rooted in conflict.
Be kind to your neighbours, both in person and online.
If you're observing Yom Kippur today, we hope you have a meaningful day and an easy fast.
We're excited to welcome Adam to the team in a fractional role as our Head of US Partnerships 🎉
Adam has a vast knowledge of the American news landscape and has experience building and strategising products which help newsrooms succeed.
We're looking forward to seeing what he can do to bring news publishers across the pond to online spaces dedicated to them and their audience 🗞️
The idea for our Foundation sparked in an unlikely place, on the very Big Tech platforms we now oppose.
But, once upon a time, they did something amazing. They let people learn from other people.
That idea has fuelled the journey of the Newsmast Foundation, leading us to where we are today. Now, we understand that social media isn't bad, we just need to reclaim what made it work in the beginning. Community learning.
RE: https://mastodon.social/@DemocratsAbroadMadagascar/117256587322013039
Here at @newsmast we have a curated feed for the US elections (if you have the stomach for it). Even Americans in Madagascar are involved!
Follow @uselections for more…
@saskia and @benparker are making the trip to Germany for @berlinfediday!
Alongside giving a talk titled "Building Community on the Open Social Web" and joining in with some panels, Ben and Saskia will be looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones.
If you're going, let us know 🧡
