Will Coldwell
@willcoldwell.bsky.social
Freelance journalist. Words in The Guardian, GQ, FT Mag, Wired, 1843 Magazine, Prospect, The Observer and beyond
Get in touch: [email protected]
willcoldwell.com
Get in touch: [email protected]
willcoldwell.com
Where should I eat in Paris?
January 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Where should I eat in Paris?
“I’ve made the statement very strongly that if they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved..."
Meanwhile, in Minneapolis...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/u...
Meanwhile, in Minneapolis...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/u...
Trump Is Briefed on Options for Striking Iran as Protests Continue
www.nytimes.com
January 11, 2026 at 12:13 PM
“I’ve made the statement very strongly that if they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved..."
Meanwhile, in Minneapolis...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/u...
Meanwhile, in Minneapolis...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/u...
Reposted by Will Coldwell
For those keeping score, Bellingcat, The New York Times Visual Investigation Team, & Washington Post's Visual Forensic team have all published analysis showing the ICE shooter wasn't in the path of Renee Nicole Good’s vehicle when he shot her, contradicting statements by the President & his cronies
January 8, 2026 at 3:35 PM
For those keeping score, Bellingcat, The New York Times Visual Investigation Team, & Washington Post's Visual Forensic team have all published analysis showing the ICE shooter wasn't in the path of Renee Nicole Good’s vehicle when he shot her, contradicting statements by the President & his cronies
Heartbreaking and disturbing beyond belief
You and your wife drop your 6-year-old off at school. You just moved here. You see ICE terrorizing your new neighbors. You film them, as is your legal right. Your wife complies with orders. She is then shot in the head. You still have to pick up your child later today.
This could be you.
This could be you.
January 8, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Heartbreaking and disturbing beyond belief
Reposted by Will Coldwell
Smugglers often force people to pilot boats, using threats against them or their families. Prosecuting an Afghan 18 year old seeking asylum for this is twisted and shows how Labour is more interested in playing to Reform than ensuring people are provided with safety.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
First person charged under new small boat Channel crossing law - BBC News
Aman Naseri, 18, denies endangering 46 people during a boat crossing to the UK on 5 January.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Smugglers often force people to pilot boats, using threats against them or their families. Prosecuting an Afghan 18 year old seeking asylum for this is twisted and shows how Labour is more interested in playing to Reform than ensuring people are provided with safety.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Obsessed with this show, even moreso after this illuminating profile of Noah Wyle
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/m...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/m...
On ‘The Pitt,’ E.R. Doctors Try to Fix This Broken World
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Obsessed with this show, even moreso after this illuminating profile of Noah Wyle
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/m...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/m...
“They actually released thousands of bees on me, imagine that! I’m not joking, those are real bees. That would not fly today.”
Wtaf
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
Wtaf
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
Jamie Lee Curtis asked My Girl studio to put trigger warning on poster over Macaulay Culkin bee sting
Actor told Columbia’s head of marketing that the film’s scene showing the death of Culkin, then 10, was going to freak out every child in the US
www.theguardian.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
“They actually released thousands of bees on me, imagine that! I’m not joking, those are real bees. That would not fly today.”
Wtaf
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
Wtaf
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/de...
A brilliant, much needed investigation into the free birth movement - absolutely heartbreaking stories
www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
A year-long investigation reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:09 AM
A brilliant, much needed investigation into the free birth movement - absolutely heartbreaking stories
www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
www.theguardian.com/world/ng-int...
"If Stephen Glass, Jayson Blair and the other late 20th century fakers were looking for the prestige and power that came with journalism in that moment, then this generation’s internet scammers are scavenging in the wreckage of a degraded media environment."
thelocal.to/investigatin...
thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 20, 2025 at 11:48 AM
"If Stephen Glass, Jayson Blair and the other late 20th century fakers were looking for the prestige and power that came with journalism in that moment, then this generation’s internet scammers are scavenging in the wreckage of a degraded media environment."
thelocal.to/investigatin...
thelocal.to/investigatin...
Reposted by Will Coldwell
I spoke to two dozen BBC journalists, from frontline reporters to senior staff, about how the BBC came to symbolise the West's failure to prevent genocide in Gaza - and how the row over its coverage fed directly into its current meltdown.
www.equator.org/articles/ins...
www.equator.org/articles/ins...
Inside the BBC’s Gaza Fiasco • EQUATOR
How the world’s most trusted media organisation fell apart
www.equator.org
November 14, 2025 at 8:01 AM
I spoke to two dozen BBC journalists, from frontline reporters to senior staff, about how the BBC came to symbolise the West's failure to prevent genocide in Gaza - and how the row over its coverage fed directly into its current meltdown.
www.equator.org/articles/ins...
www.equator.org/articles/ins...
I'm always stunned when I drop back on for a peek - not just at the outrageous level of hate being spewed out, but how many respectable journalists are still using it....
It’s profoundly worrying that so many politicians and journalists, continue to use this platform which is increasingly a space for hate speech and far right propaganda. It’s having a serious impact on the state of national discourse. Government should at the very least make X abide by the law.
X is in clear + systemic breach of its legal duties in the UK to remove unlawful content from its platform.
Proof: when X users abuse + harass others with the racial slur "paki", X reporting system defends the racist abuse in more than 90% of cases reported.
A new thread documenting this.
Proof: when X users abuse + harass others with the racial slur "paki", X reporting system defends the racist abuse in more than 90% of cases reported.
A new thread documenting this.
November 13, 2025 at 7:40 AM
I'm always stunned when I drop back on for a peek - not just at the outrageous level of hate being spewed out, but how many respectable journalists are still using it....
Reposted by Will Coldwell
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Earlier this year my story about the tragic death of offshore worker Robbie Robson ran in the @theguardian.com Saturday magazine.
I'm pleased to learn it has won a Freelance Journalism Award, in the category for best investigation.
freelancingforjournalists.substack.com/p/freelance-...
I'm pleased to learn it has won a Freelance Journalism Award, in the category for best investigation.
freelancingforjournalists.substack.com/p/freelance-...
Freelance Journalism Awards Winners 2025
Time to unveil our judges' selection!
freelancingforjournalists.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Earlier this year my story about the tragic death of offshore worker Robbie Robson ran in the @theguardian.com Saturday magazine.
I'm pleased to learn it has won a Freelance Journalism Award, in the category for best investigation.
freelancingforjournalists.substack.com/p/freelance-...
I'm pleased to learn it has won a Freelance Journalism Award, in the category for best investigation.
freelancingforjournalists.substack.com/p/freelance-...
I recently visited the smallest church in England and the information leaflet has an absolute gem of an opening par
November 4, 2025 at 11:56 AM
I recently visited the smallest church in England and the information leaflet has an absolute gem of an opening par
"Here, at a deserted street, people stop dutifully at a red light. Not a car in sight. This, I once thought, is the mark of a highly evolved society."
hyperallergic.com/1050197/what...
hyperallergic.com/1050197/what...
What I Wish I Had Known About Germany Earlier
A German newspaper commissioned an article from me but then refused to publish it.
hyperallergic.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:35 PM
"Here, at a deserted street, people stop dutifully at a red light. Not a car in sight. This, I once thought, is the mark of a highly evolved society."
hyperallergic.com/1050197/what...
hyperallergic.com/1050197/what...
I recently spent a week at Pontins with veterans of Britain's Cold War nuclear weapons programme.
Between rounds of bingo, crazy golf, and a spot of hula dancing, we discussed the troubling legacy of the era of atmospheric testing.
My latest for the FT Magazine: www.ft.com/content/1fca...
Between rounds of bingo, crazy golf, and a spot of hula dancing, we discussed the troubling legacy of the era of atmospheric testing.
My latest for the FT Magazine: www.ft.com/content/1fca...
The men who stared at mushroom clouds
For veterans of Britain’s nuclear tests, an annual reunion is the place to discuss hula and God-like explosions with others who truly understand
www.ft.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I recently spent a week at Pontins with veterans of Britain's Cold War nuclear weapons programme.
Between rounds of bingo, crazy golf, and a spot of hula dancing, we discussed the troubling legacy of the era of atmospheric testing.
My latest for the FT Magazine: www.ft.com/content/1fca...
Between rounds of bingo, crazy golf, and a spot of hula dancing, we discussed the troubling legacy of the era of atmospheric testing.
My latest for the FT Magazine: www.ft.com/content/1fca...
The best detail in this story is that the password for Harriet Harman's website was simply: "Harriet Harman"
Badenoch says hacking into Harriet Harman's website 17 years ago 'not the same' as Reeves breaking law
Badenoch says hacking into Harriet Harman's website 17 years ago 'not the same' as Reeves breaking law
Kemi Badenoch has said hacking into Harriet Harman's website when she was younger is "not the same" as Rachel Reeves failing to get a £900 rental licence for her home.
news.sky.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:26 PM
The best detail in this story is that the password for Harriet Harman's website was simply: "Harriet Harman"
“We do not forget that so many of the laws, charters, and conventions established to safeguard and protect all human life were created in response to the Holocaust,...Those safeguards have been relentlessly violated by Israel.”
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Jewish figures across the globe call on UN and world leaders to sanction Israel
Exclusive: In an open letter, Israeli ex-officials, artists and intellectuals say ‘unconscionable’ actions in Gaza amount to genocide
www.theguardian.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:50 AM
“We do not forget that so many of the laws, charters, and conventions established to safeguard and protect all human life were created in response to the Holocaust,...Those safeguards have been relentlessly violated by Israel.”
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Reposted by Will Coldwell
The British government has lost its attempt to stop Palestine Action fighting against the decision to ban it as a terrorist organisation by way of a full High Court judicial review
The Court of Appeal also granted permission for Palestine Action to bring its challenge on wider legal grounds
The Court of Appeal also granted permission for Palestine Action to bring its challenge on wider legal grounds
October 17, 2025 at 11:47 AM
The British government has lost its attempt to stop Palestine Action fighting against the decision to ban it as a terrorist organisation by way of a full High Court judicial review
The Court of Appeal also granted permission for Palestine Action to bring its challenge on wider legal grounds
The Court of Appeal also granted permission for Palestine Action to bring its challenge on wider legal grounds
Reposted by Will Coldwell
Labour has a Green problem – why Zack Polanski’s first month as leader shows he’s the biggest threat the party has faced from the left. www.newstatesman.com/politics/mor...
Labour has a Green problem
Zack Polanski’s first month as leader shows he’s the biggest threat Keir Starmer has faced from the left.
www.newstatesman.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Labour has a Green problem – why Zack Polanski’s first month as leader shows he’s the biggest threat the party has faced from the left. www.newstatesman.com/politics/mor...
Been a mad week in Margate...we've had the bomb squad evacuate a cul-de-sac, someone went on a multi-car arson rampage, and Madonna came to town.
theisleofthanetnews.com/2025/10/07/q...
theisleofthanetnews.com/2025/10/07/q...
Queen of Pop Madonna visits Carl Freedman Gallery and TKE Studios in Margate
Queen of Pop Madonna was in Margate this weekend visiting the Carl Freedman Gallery and Tracey Emin’s TKE Studios. The American singer, songwriter and record producer has a total of 18 multi-platin…
theisleofthanetnews.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Been a mad week in Margate...we've had the bomb squad evacuate a cul-de-sac, someone went on a multi-car arson rampage, and Madonna came to town.
theisleofthanetnews.com/2025/10/07/q...
theisleofthanetnews.com/2025/10/07/q...
Reposted by Will Coldwell
The idea that being a refugee is somehow a “golden ticket” is genuinely awful. These are people who the government have recognised are in need of protection. Do they think people chose that? That that’s what people wanted?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Starmer to end asylum ‘golden ticket’ of resettlement and family reunion rights
People granted asylum will have to earn right to invite family in plan charities call ‘straight from populist playbook’
www.theguardian.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The idea that being a refugee is somehow a “golden ticket” is genuinely awful. These are people who the government have recognised are in need of protection. Do they think people chose that? That that’s what people wanted?
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
V nice to be shortlisted in the Freelance Journalism Awards in the best investigation category, among some fantastic freelance journalists
The shortlist for our Freelance Journalism Awards 2025 is out. Check out this week's newsletter everyone open.substack.com/pub/freelanc...
Freelance Journalism Awards 2025 Shortlist!
Let's see who our finalists are
open.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:12 PM
V nice to be shortlisted in the Freelance Journalism Awards in the best investigation category, among some fantastic freelance journalists
