Author | Lightnews

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Karen K. Ho

@karenho.bsky.social

A new kind of rapid Chotining. Please appreciate the alt-text.

Isaac Chotiner: "You would have to be brain-dead to read this piece and not immediately wonder who is funding Semafor Gulf."

Quote post of Ben Smith saying: "Fascinating @msergie piece on covering a monarchy" about a Semafor article on Saudi Arabia's crown prince

Smith responds to Chotiner: "That's a hell of an allegation/implication, Isaac.

To figure out the literal answer to your question, you'd either have to look and see who the sponsors are in the email (I haven't checked today!) or read our publicly disclosed list of investors. I believe you're trying to imply that it's the Saudi government? Have you read more of our coverage, or just this tweet?

My impression — correct me if I'm wrong — is that you're working on zero information and smearing us in general, and an experienced journalist
@msergie
whose work I suspect you're totally unfamiliar with in particular."

Chotiner responds:"I’m not making any allegation. I’m making a simple point about how an average reader—myself included—might respond after reading this ridiculous piece"

Ben Smith: "Just asking questions! Come on. You genuinely know better. Or read Mohammed's long career of work covering the Gulf and the Syrian war before you imply he's some kind of stooge."

Noah Kulwin: "The point is not about who funds your reporting/if your colleague is a “stooge”. Isaac’s comment is that the reporting is so bad so as to make a reader wonder who is funding it"

Smith: A reader, sure. A journalist who can do very basic homework, kind of lame.

Chotiner: "You are right, I’ll do some homework now by perusing Jay Solomon Semafor pieces, and reading Jason Greenblatt Semafor columns. In the meantime, I will formally say that I am making no accusation and was just astonished at how inane the piece was"

Chotiner quote-posts with "I see Semafor loves running column after column by this guy (https://semafor.com/author/faisal-j-abbas), who also publishes pro-Saudi conspiracies about the murder of Jamal Khashoggi https://arabnews.com/node/1386291"

Ben Smith's post says "I hope I'm not overreacting, but it makes me crazy when people I think of as reporters do this "just asking questions" stuff. Feel free to report it out by googling/asking me/reading our various scoops and reports about the region — these two just now" and links to two Semafor articles

Chotiner quote posts Ben Smith: "You might have heard that the UAE is helping destroy Sudan, but at the next Semafor event, all is well."

Screenshot says "Held at Abu Dhabi Finance Week, Semafor will spotlight insights from the Global Findex 2025 report and the Global Digital Connectivity Tracker, translating global research into actionable, locally relevant conversations.

As the third stop on The Next 3 Billion Tour, this edition explores how the Gulf's growing investments in Africa can accelerate digital connectivity and financial inclusion. With Abu Dhabi's focus on sustainable finance, digital transformation, and cross-border collaboration, it offers a strong platform to examine how technology and capital can work together to expand access and opportunity."

Ben Smith's post says "Just asking questions! Come on. You genuinely know better. Or read Mohammed's long career of work covering the Gulf and the Syrian war before you imply he's some kind of stooge."

November 25, 2025 at 1:09 AM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Brishti Basu

@brishti.bsky.social

Today, DULF co-founders launch their constitutional challenge to Canada’s drug laws that criminalize possession for the purposes of trafficking.

“[The law] is over broad in that it prohibits non medical safer supply programs no matter how efficacious” - lawyer Tim Dickson

@pressprogress.ca

November 24, 2025 at 7:28 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Dave Byrnes

@djbyrnes1.bsky.social

Yesterday my partner and I counted all the ads along Chicago's Brown Line for "Friend," a company selling an AI chatbot pendant, and tallied how many of those ads were defaced.

Still working on a longer piece on this, but here's the quick and dirty: we counted 104 "Friend" ads total, 42 defaced.

Sign for a "Friend" ad defaced with graffiti reading "AI doesn't care if you live or die."

Sign for a "Friend" ad defaced with graffiti reading "talk to humans"

Sign for a "Friend" ad defaced with graffiti reading "Fuck this!"

Sign for a "Friend" ad defaced with graffiti reading "you don't have to accept this future."

November 23, 2025 at 10:46 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

sadvil 😎

@sadvil.bsky.social

TRUMP [after spending 5 minutes with Zohran]: surplus value, it’s a very wonderful thing, very wonderful, and they’re stealing it. Can you believe that?

We’re going to be looking very strongly at the bourgeoisie, what they’re up to

November 21, 2025 at 9:25 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Rumneek Johal

@rumneeek.bsky.social

Follow us on TikTok @pressprogress.ca

November 21, 2025 at 12:27 AM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

CRIMINAL SIMPSONS

@criminalsimpsons.com

November 20, 2025 at 4:44 AM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Shannon Waters

@sobittersosweet.bsky.social

Coastal First Nations say the federal government hasn't been talking to them about Alberta's pipeline proposal, despite multiple requests for nation-to-nation meetings

"We are tired of learning about these discussions regarding our traditional territories in the press," reads a press release

“As the Rights and Title Holders of the Central and North Coast and Haida Gwaii, we are incredibly alarmed to read media reports about alleged negotiations between the federal government and the province of Alberta regarding proposals to build an oil pipeline to the northwest coast.

“We have been very clear that we do not support this proposed project and Coastal First Nations, along with the province, have called on the federal government to uphold the tanker ban. Any discussions around an exemption to the current ban on oil tankers triggers the honour of the Crown and requires our consent.

“We are tired of learning about these discussions regarding our traditional territories in the press. Both the Prime Minister and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson have repeatedly stated that such a project would require the support of First Nations and of the government of British Columbia.

“We have put forth multiple requests for nation-to-nation meetings with both the Prime Minister and Minister Hodgson. It is time for them to live up to their commitments and set up a respectful table that includes Coastal First Nations and the province of BC. This approach is only building mistrust, and Canada should commit to talking with us directly instead of deliberately sidestepping our communities.”

On November 5, 2025, Coastal First Nations and the Province of BC signed the North Coast Protection Declaration, calling on the federal government to uphold the oil tanker ban as a matter of national responsibility and an investment in Canada’s treasured marine environment and the economic prosperity of future generations.

The oil tanker ban is the result of over 50 years of advocacy from First Nations and coastal communities and is supported by federal and provincial governments of all political stripes.

November 19, 2025 at 10:07 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Ricochet Media

@ricochetmedia.bsky.social

Big news! Ricochet has become just the fourth English-language media outlet in Canada to earn para-charitable RJO status!

This makes us a qualified donee in tax parlance, and means all donations are fully tax deductible — just like donations to charities.

Read more:

ricochet.media/announcement...

Big news! Ricochet earns para-charitable RJO status

We are the fourth English-language outlet in Canada to qualify as a Registered Journalism Organization

ricochet.media

November 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Luke LeBrun

@lukelebrun.ca

Appreciate @nationalobserver.com underlining the threat these lawsuits pose to our democracy:

“One way to help preserve an independent media is to protect them from vindictive US-style lawsuits… we must be free to report fairly without the threat of expensive lawsuits designed solely to shut us up”

Alberta lawsuit is trying to silence the messenger

Former UCP candidate Caylan Ford's scattergun defamation lawsuit against the media and others sends a free press chill through Alberta

www.nationalobserver.com

November 19, 2025 at 3:25 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Mel Woods

@melwoods.me

Here is Alberta premier Danielle Smith seemingly suggesting that a mastectomy is a surgery that “prevents you from being able to have children.” 😵‍💫

November 19, 2025 at 12:02 AM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

PressProgress

@pressprogress.ca

There’s a wave of violence targeting Canadian Sikhs, and the government seems powerless to stop it.

"It’s a feeling of helplessness."

pressprogress.ca/wave-of-viol...

There’s a Wave of Violence Targeting Canadian Sikhs, and the Government Seems Powerless to Stop It

pressprogress.ca

November 18, 2025 at 6:06 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Kim Kelly

@kimkelly.bsky.social

I love mess but man this whole thing underlines how much it sucks that all the worst journalists somehow end up with flashy high-paying media jobs

November 18, 2025 at 5:15 AM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Adam Umak

@adamumak.bsky.social

Hi, folks. I wrote about my buddy @leslieleeiii.bsky.social. He had #LongCOVID and passed away this week. Thanks for reading. adamumak.medium.com/leslie-lee-i...

Leslie Lee III: Funeral for a Friend

Explaining the one important lesson that he wanted you to learn.

adamumak.medium.com

November 15, 2025 at 9:54 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Mar

@histoftech.bsky.social

Here is an obituary for Alice Wong from The Sick Times, a publication aligned with disability rights and disability activism, if you are looking for an alternative to reading the nyt one: thesicktimes.org/2025/11/15/a...

Alice Wong, disability activist and luminary, dies at 51 - The Sick Times

Alice Wong platformed and uplifted people with Long COVID in her final chapter as a lifelong disability advocate and storyteller.

thesicktimes.org

November 16, 2025 at 2:05 AM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Aiyana Ishmael

@aiyanaish.bsky.social

It was announced on October 16, 2025 that VIBE was "joining forces" with Rolling Stone. As a result, the majority of VIBE employees were laid off. If you have the means to give, this team could use the support! www.gofundme.com/f/support-vi...

Donate to Support VIBE Staff After Sudden Layoffs, organized by Mya Abraham

It was announced on October 16, 2025 that VIBE was "joining forces" with Rolling S… Mya Abraham needs your support for Support VIBE Staff After Sudden Layoffs

www.gofundme.com

November 14, 2025 at 6:02 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Elea Chang

@elea.fyi

I don’t want to formulate words yet, but my friend Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social of the Disability Visibility Project, has passed.

Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...

Alice Wong on Instagram: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it ...

423 likes, 73 comments - alicatsamurai on November 14, 2025: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the t...

www.instagram.com

November 15, 2025 at 5:57 AM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

PressProgress

@pressprogress.ca

As more and more studies expose fossil-fuel health harms, Mark Carney is doubling down

First Nations and frontline workers are leading the charge against Canada's aggressive LNG expansion

As More and More Studies Expose Fossil-fuel Health Harms, Mark Carney Doubles Down

First Nations and frontline workers lead the charge against Canada's aggressive LNG expansion

pressprogress.ca

November 14, 2025 at 10:21 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Michelle Gamage

@michellegamage.bsky.social

Excellent deep dive by Eva Uguen-Csenge, getting the drug crisis and DULF's initative out to a national audience for CBC.
Feds were advised by their own experts to expand access to a safe supply. Instead they watered down safe supply programs, ending it in March.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

They’re at risk of dying from opioid overdose. The government cut funding that could help them | CBC News

As deadly drug overdoses climbed across Canada, decision-makers faced political backlash for funding programs that gave drug users prescribed opioids and, against their own experts’ advice, scaled bac...

www.cbc.ca

November 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Emma Arkell

@emmaarkell.bsky.social

Mark Carney proposed major cuts to the public service and changes to collective bargaining laws in Budget 2025 — what does that mean for the federal public service unions that are in bargaining this year?

I spoke with PSAC, CAPE and labour prof Adam DK King about it for @pressprogress.ca

PressProgress @pressprogress.ca · 11d

Union Presidents Say Federal Government is “Scapegoating” Public Servants For the Deficit

“This government is not on your side,” says Canadian Association of Public Employees president

pressprogress.ca/union-presid...

Union Presidents Say Federal Government is “Scapegoating” Public Servants For the Deficit

“This government is not on your side,” says Canadian Association of Public Employees president

pressprogress.ca

November 14, 2025 at 12:29 AM

Emma Arkell

@emmaarkell.bsky.social

Mark Carney proposed major cuts to the public service and changes to collective bargaining laws in Budget 2025 — what does that mean for the federal public service unions that are in bargaining this year?

I spoke with PSAC, CAPE and labour prof Adam DK King about it for @pressprogress.ca

PressProgress @pressprogress.ca · 11d

Union Presidents Say Federal Government is “Scapegoating” Public Servants For the Deficit

“This government is not on your side,” says Canadian Association of Public Employees president

pressprogress.ca/union-presid...

Union Presidents Say Federal Government is “Scapegoating” Public Servants For the Deficit

“This government is not on your side,” says Canadian Association of Public Employees president

pressprogress.ca

November 14, 2025 at 12:29 AM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Luke LeBrun

@lukelebrun.ca

“We’re communicating that to our members — that you need to be ready for a fight … This government is not on your side”

PressProgress @pressprogress.ca · 11d

Union Presidents Say Federal Government is “Scapegoating” Public Servants For the Deficit

“This government is not on your side,” says Canadian Association of Public Employees president

pressprogress.ca/union-presid...

Union Presidents Say Federal Government is “Scapegoating” Public Servants For the Deficit

“This government is not on your side,” says Canadian Association of Public Employees president

pressprogress.ca

November 13, 2025 at 7:33 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

PressProgress

@pressprogress.ca

Union Presidents Say Federal Government is “Scapegoating” Public Servants For the Deficit

“This government is not on your side,” says Canadian Association of Public Employees president

pressprogress.ca/union-presid...

Union Presidents Say Federal Government is “Scapegoating” Public Servants For the Deficit

“This government is not on your side,” says Canadian Association of Public Employees president

pressprogress.ca

November 13, 2025 at 7:19 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

dan sinker

@dansinker.com

Got turned down on a piece about ICE in Chicago for an international news org because they believed I couldn’t be objective about my neighbors getting kidnapped. And well, guilty as charged I guess.

November 12, 2025 at 5:27 PM

Reposted by Emma Arkell

Paris Marx

@parismarx.com

Mark Carney’s Liberals were not elected on a mandate to gut Canada Post, but they’re doing it anyway.

The minister intervened to begin the process, now management has now submitted a restructuring plan *in the middle of collective bargaining* that it refuses to share with Canadians.