Our Scans · (ZY.4.18) Media Studies · Weekly Summary

• [New] Internationally, the BBC's fall from grace as a benchmark for objectivity creates a vacuum that will be immediately exploited by authoritarian state media, such as Russia's RT or China's CGTN, to discredit all Western media. Atalayar
• [New] Regionalized communication strategies will separate global leaders from followers In markets like Brazil and India, WhatsApp accounts for over 90% of business-to-consumer messaging traffic. Morningstar, Inc.
• [New] We might see regulations requiring AI-generated content disclosures (as was proposed in US Senate hearings, and the EU's AI Act likely mandating watermarks for synthetic media). Kukarella
• [New] Some companies are collaborating on detection standards (ex: Adobe's Content Authenticity Initiative for media, which could extend to audio). Kukarella
• [New] Retail media networks are projected to capture approximately 20% of total global advertising revenue by 2030, exceeding $300 billion according to Omdia research. PPC Land
• [New] Advertisers are ready to take advantage: According to Forrester's Q3 2025 CMO Pulse Survey, 86% of US B2C marketing executives plan to experiment with new channels and tactics in 2026, and 83% intend to diversify their media mix beyond the big three. Forrester
• [New] In December, the world's first country-wide social media ban for children will go into effect in Australia, banning children under 16 from major social media platforms. Engadget
• [New] The WhatsApp Channels monetization features will create a new generation of creators and brand-owned media. SEO Services Agency USA
• [New] WARC figures published earlier this week projected retail media network investment would reach $174.9 billion in 2025, up 13.7% year-on-year. Digiday
• [New] Additional support from social media companies such as Meta - owner of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram - TikTok and X will be necessary for Honduran civil society and its electoral authorities to prevent misinformation from spiraling into actual violence on the ground. United States Institute of Peace
• [New] Retail media ad spend for technology and electronics brands, the largest category, is forecast to reach $32.2bn globally in 2026, up 15.4% year-on-year. Bizcommunity
• [New] Retail media ad investment is forecast to overtake combined linear and connected TV spend in 2026. Bizcommunity
• [New] The latest Warc Media forecast sees worldwide investment in retail media networks set to reach $174.9bn in 2025, up 13.7% year-on-year, before rising a further 12.4% in 2026 to reach $196.7bn, representing 16% of all ad spend. Bizcommunity
• [New] Iconic American consumer goods and retail companies should leverage the fresh opportunity to amplify public awareness of their brands by escalating use of social media and social media influencers. CorpbridgeAdvisors
• [New] The Digital 2026 Global Overview Report noted that there are 5.66 billion social media users worldwide, making them a supermajority. The Manila Times
• [New] Space is no longer just for communication and Earth observation, it's quietly becoming a place where actual computing work might get done. The Daily Galaxy - Great Discoveries Channel
• [New] China is developing high-end microchip production at an unprecedented rate and mass production of domestic 14 nm chips will be realized next year. Developing Telecoms
• [New] Australia's world-first social media ban for children under 16 will apply to messaging board Reddit and live-streaming platform Kick, the online safety regulator has ruled. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• [New] Reddit and Kick will be included in Australia's social media ban for children under 16. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
• The next seven years will be defined by two things: creators professionalizing into full-fledged media companies and legacy media and brands retooling themselves to act like creators. Forbes
• The development of video content expertise will become essential for PR professionals, who will need to create media outreach materials, social media content, and brand promotion videos by 2025. Tekedia
• Social media serves as a fundamental PR channel, but its connection with PR strategies will achieve complete unity by 2025. Tekedia

Last updated: 13 November 2025