BREAKING: Michael Leidig, a veteran in the news industry, has just announced the launch of a not-for-profit organization aimed at revitalizing what he describes as a broken news ecosystem. Leidig’s initiative, called NewsX, comes on the heels of the closure of several news agencies across Europe and Asia, prompted by years of declining budgets and stagnant fees from national newspapers.
Leidig, who has spent over 30 years managing news agencies, cites the dismantling of local papers and the reduction of specialist freelancers as critical factors leading to the current crisis. “The job used to be introducing people to perspectives they wouldn’t otherwise hear,” he stated. “Now, the whole system is designed to reinforce whatever the audience already believes.”
The situation has become dire, as traditional journalism faces overwhelming challenges. Many independent news agencies in the UK have shut down, and the “supply chain” of news has dwindled to a few overstretched generalists unable to keep up with the demand for quality reporting.
Leidig argues that while AI has exacerbated these issues, it also holds the potential to be part of the solution. AI can handle tasks such as restructuring copy and producing initial drafts almost instantaneously, allowing reporters to focus more on newsgathering. However, Leidig warns that without a robust system in place, valuable content goes unverified and uncredited.
The cornerstone of NewsX is to establish a common standard that categorizes content, creators, and publishers, ensuring seamless movement of news throughout the ecosystem. “What I’ve tried to do is rebuild the mechanics from conception through to publication and monetization,” Leidig emphasized.
At the heart of this initiative is the concept of proof of work. “In the agency world, if you do the editorial work and someone uses it, you get paid. It’s that simple,” Leidig added. This model aims to reconnect journalists with their audience and ensure they receive proper compensation for their efforts.
Every story produced under NewsX will include a digital fingerprint, detailing its origin, sources, revisions, and publication history. This transparency is bolstered by the NewsX Press Card, a tiered accreditation system that allows professionals, podcasters, and local reporters to join as long as they adhere to strict editorial standards.
In a novel approach to accountability, NewsX incorporates a transparency tool known as QC (Quis Custodiet). This tech-enabled system allows anyone to evaluate a story against established standards using public AI tools. If issues are flagged, a human reviewer intervenes to assess the situation, providing rulings that are published transparently.
Several publishers, including National World, The European, and Evening Standard, are already opting to utilize NewsX content on a credit-only basis, ensuring that journalists receive recognition for their work. Rather than seeing this as a setback, Leidig views it as a growth strategy, as stories published with a visible byline tend to be adapted and shared widely, increasing overall network usage.
As more mainstream outlets, including MailOnline and Fox News, continue to pay per usage, the impact of NewsX is becoming evident. Dozens of stories sourced from NewsX are appearing weekly in various publications across the UK national press.
Leidig’s initiative arrives at a critical moment for journalism, as the industry grapples with unprecedented challenges. By re-establishing the fundamental processes of reporting and ensuring accountability, NewsX aims to rebuild trust in journalism and empower content creators once again.
For those interested in following this transformative journey in journalism, stay tuned for further updates on NewsX and its impact on the news landscape.
