Aaron Ackerley
@aaronackerley.bsky.social
Modern British History. Press and Media. Empire. Economics. Knowledge and Power.
Lecturer in British Studies, University of Oslo
Lecturer in British Studies, University of Oslo
Pinned
Aaron Ackerley
@aaronackerley.bsky.social
· Oct 29
Vol. 19 No. 1 (2025): Journalistica 2025
| Journalistica
tidsskrift.dk
Happy to see my article 'Editorial control, the division of responsibilities, and journalistic autonomy' in Journalistica is now live.
Available open access here: tidsskrift.dk/journalistic...
#mediahistory #journalismhistory
Available open access here: tidsskrift.dk/journalistic...
#mediahistory #journalismhistory
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
From the same newspaper that published “did feminism fuck up the work place?”, we now have “did feminism fuck up sex?”
The NYT really is desperate to cater to conservative audiences and it’s just getting more obvious and embarrassing.
The NYT really is desperate to cater to conservative audiences and it’s just getting more obvious and embarrassing.
February 7, 2026 at 2:11 PM
From the same newspaper that published “did feminism fuck up the work place?”, we now have “did feminism fuck up sex?”
The NYT really is desperate to cater to conservative audiences and it’s just getting more obvious and embarrassing.
The NYT really is desperate to cater to conservative audiences and it’s just getting more obvious and embarrassing.
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
The colonial imperialist west shouldn’t be forgiven for a lot of things, and the crimes against Haiti and her people are one of them.
February 7, 2026 at 2:45 AM
The colonial imperialist west shouldn’t be forgiven for a lot of things, and the crimes against Haiti and her people are one of them.
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
I do want to shout-out my fellow sociologists, who have collectively created a discipline so woke that not a single one of our introductory textbooks can make it past Florida's censors.
Great work everyone.
Great work everyone.
February 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM
I do want to shout-out my fellow sociologists, who have collectively created a discipline so woke that not a single one of our introductory textbooks can make it past Florida's censors.
Great work everyone.
Great work everyone.
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
It has been revealed that our chief reporter, @john-mcevoy.bsky.social, was among journalists investigated by a PR firm paid by Labour Together.
Labour Together was then managed by Josh Simons. Simons is now Cabinet Office minister.
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Labour Together was then managed by Josh Simons. Simons is now Cabinet Office minister.
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
BREAKING: McSweeney’s think tank paid PR firm to investigate journalists
Labour Together put private investigators onto journalists writing about its funding. Starmer's right-hand man knew.
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:57 AM
It has been revealed that our chief reporter, @john-mcevoy.bsky.social, was among journalists investigated by a PR firm paid by Labour Together.
Labour Together was then managed by Josh Simons. Simons is now Cabinet Office minister.
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Labour Together was then managed by Josh Simons. Simons is now Cabinet Office minister.
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
What a tremendous loss.
If you're interested in learning more about Chip's legacy as a right-watcher (well before right watching became a cottage industry), check out this brief reflection.
www.academia.edu/95027577/Age...
If you're interested in learning more about Chip's legacy as a right-watcher (well before right watching became a cottage industry), check out this brief reflection.
www.academia.edu/95027577/Age...
February 6, 2026 at 4:02 PM
What a tremendous loss.
If you're interested in learning more about Chip's legacy as a right-watcher (well before right watching became a cottage industry), check out this brief reflection.
www.academia.edu/95027577/Age...
If you're interested in learning more about Chip's legacy as a right-watcher (well before right watching became a cottage industry), check out this brief reflection.
www.academia.edu/95027577/Age...
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
You see what is going on in the US, and the far right in Europe saying “this is specifically what we’d like to do here”, and the US govt saying “this is specifically what we want to make happen there”, and our approach to national security is to treat this as an inconvenient distraction.
February 6, 2026 at 4:45 PM
You see what is going on in the US, and the far right in Europe saying “this is specifically what we’d like to do here”, and the US govt saying “this is specifically what we want to make happen there”, and our approach to national security is to treat this as an inconvenient distraction.
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
The lack of concern given to US influence over British politics compared to say Russian or Chinese, when the current US govt and associated business elites are overtly committed to undermining liberal democracy in Western Europe *and* have the leverage to do just that, is incredibly alarming.
I think the problem with this approach is the power of US money rapidly makes them the only ideological show in town on the right, and then regardless of domestic opposition to MAGA, you are one bad economic run from them getting power.
No reason to get too worked up about this.
Ultranationalist transnationalism is not an easy thing to pull off — and the trademark „MAGA-funded“ might hurt European forces more than help on balance.
Ultranationalist transnationalism is not an easy thing to pull off — and the trademark „MAGA-funded“ might hurt European forces more than help on balance.
February 6, 2026 at 4:36 PM
The lack of concern given to US influence over British politics compared to say Russian or Chinese, when the current US govt and associated business elites are overtly committed to undermining liberal democracy in Western Europe *and* have the leverage to do just that, is incredibly alarming.
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
So, are they saying they don't approve what the President of the United States puts out on Truth Social, his preferred megaphone to the world -- that he's used to announce peace deals, tariffs, and military ops?
A staffer can post something there without the President or top officials approving it?
A staffer can post something there without the President or top officials approving it?
POLITICO reporting that the White House has now claimed the ape video was an accident and removed it.
February 6, 2026 at 5:20 PM
So, are they saying they don't approve what the President of the United States puts out on Truth Social, his preferred megaphone to the world -- that he's used to announce peace deals, tariffs, and military ops?
A staffer can post something there without the President or top officials approving it?
A staffer can post something there without the President or top officials approving it?
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
This is massive. A credit to Democracy For Sale for their investigation.
🔴 BREAKING: Labour Together paid controversial PR firm £30k to investigate journalists who were digging into how its undeclared funding
Reporters from Sunday Times, Guardian and other outlets targetted
*And* Morgan McSweeney knew about it
Full story:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Reporters from Sunday Times, Guardian and other outlets targetted
*And* Morgan McSweeney knew about it
Full story:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
BREAKING: McSweeney’s think tank paid PR firm to investigate journalists
Labour Together put private investigators onto journalists writing about its funding. Starmer's right-hand man knew.
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:03 PM
This is massive. A credit to Democracy For Sale for their investigation.
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
Among the batch of newly released emails from Jeffrey Epstein: Epstein telling Peter Thiel he would “gladly share…expenses for the Gawker suit.”
This was sent the day after @rmac.bsky.social and @mattdrange.bsky.social reported in Forbes that Thiel was behind the lawsuit that would bankrupt Gawker
This was sent the day after @rmac.bsky.social and @mattdrange.bsky.social reported in Forbes that Thiel was behind the lawsuit that would bankrupt Gawker
January 31, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Among the batch of newly released emails from Jeffrey Epstein: Epstein telling Peter Thiel he would “gladly share…expenses for the Gawker suit.”
This was sent the day after @rmac.bsky.social and @mattdrange.bsky.social reported in Forbes that Thiel was behind the lawsuit that would bankrupt Gawker
This was sent the day after @rmac.bsky.social and @mattdrange.bsky.social reported in Forbes that Thiel was behind the lawsuit that would bankrupt Gawker
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
The same argument that says, “It’s not right that fit and healthy people pay for the expensive treatment of cancer patients on the NHS.”
You either believe in the state properly resourcing its institutions, or you don’t.
You either believe in the state properly resourcing its institutions, or you don’t.
2026: Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, "It is not right that people who don't go to university bear the cost for others to"
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
January 29, 2026 at 4:24 PM
The same argument that says, “It’s not right that fit and healthy people pay for the expensive treatment of cancer patients on the NHS.”
You either believe in the state properly resourcing its institutions, or you don’t.
You either believe in the state properly resourcing its institutions, or you don’t.
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
An Injury To All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class will be published by Verso in October!
Today I submitted responses to last comments from my editor and worked on the blurb. It's getting closer and closer!
Today I submitted responses to last comments from my editor and worked on the blurb. It's getting closer and closer!
January 28, 2026 at 8:53 PM
An Injury To All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class will be published by Verso in October!
Today I submitted responses to last comments from my editor and worked on the blurb. It's getting closer and closer!
Today I submitted responses to last comments from my editor and worked on the blurb. It's getting closer and closer!
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
Happy 🇬🇧 UK pub day to THE CROWN’S SILENCE—a deeply researched narrative history of the monarchy’s centuries-long entanglement with slavery. This is the new history book the far right loathes. Please buy it b/c it’s important history but—also—it will really piss them off if it does well in the UK!!😉😘
January 29, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Happy 🇬🇧 UK pub day to THE CROWN’S SILENCE—a deeply researched narrative history of the monarchy’s centuries-long entanglement with slavery. This is the new history book the far right loathes. Please buy it b/c it’s important history but—also—it will really piss them off if it does well in the UK!!😉😘
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
The actual words of the current British Home Secretary:
“My ultimate vision for that part of the criminal justice system was to achieve, by means of AI and technology, what Jeremy Bentham tried to do with his Panopticon. That is that the eyes of the State can be on you at all times."
“My ultimate vision for that part of the criminal justice system was to achieve, by means of AI and technology, what Jeremy Bentham tried to do with his Panopticon. That is that the eyes of the State can be on you at all times."
Crime and Policing Bill - Hansard - UK Parliament
Hansard record of the item : 'Crime and Policing Bill' on Tuesday 20 January 2026.
hansard.parliament.uk
January 29, 2026 at 11:03 AM
The actual words of the current British Home Secretary:
“My ultimate vision for that part of the criminal justice system was to achieve, by means of AI and technology, what Jeremy Bentham tried to do with his Panopticon. That is that the eyes of the State can be on you at all times."
“My ultimate vision for that part of the criminal justice system was to achieve, by means of AI and technology, what Jeremy Bentham tried to do with his Panopticon. That is that the eyes of the State can be on you at all times."
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
Hello, I have a new book out in the spring with Picador and I would love it if you could help me spread the word.
IF WE TOLERATE THIS draws on years of work, to help readers understand why British politics is hurtling rightwards and what to do about it.
Pre-orders: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/if-w...
IF WE TOLERATE THIS draws on years of work, to help readers understand why British politics is hurtling rightwards and what to do about it.
Pre-orders: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/if-w...
January 26, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Hello, I have a new book out in the spring with Picador and I would love it if you could help me spread the word.
IF WE TOLERATE THIS draws on years of work, to help readers understand why British politics is hurtling rightwards and what to do about it.
Pre-orders: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/if-w...
IF WE TOLERATE THIS draws on years of work, to help readers understand why British politics is hurtling rightwards and what to do about it.
Pre-orders: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/if-w...
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
Yes, the main problem with the deskilling machine is that no one has the skills to use it
BREAKING: Free AI training will be offered to every adult in the UK, with short courses to teach people how to use simple AI tools effectively in the workplace.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall tells #BBCBreakfast about the scheme
January 28, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Yes, the main problem with the deskilling machine is that no one has the skills to use it
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
After being held in two of them as a boy, I fought for decades urging America to never again build concentration camps and put human beings in them. It breaks my heart to watch this happen twice now in my own lifetime.
January 27, 2026 at 9:30 PM
After being held in two of them as a boy, I fought for decades urging America to never again build concentration camps and put human beings in them. It breaks my heart to watch this happen twice now in my own lifetime.
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
JD Vance Places Candle Outside Hooters Where ICE Agents Were Heckled
January 27, 2026 at 5:30 PM
JD Vance Places Candle Outside Hooters Where ICE Agents Were Heckled
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
Sesame Street is now offering tips for parents on post-trauma comfort because the federal government is physically and mentally abusing our country's children.
January 27, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Sesame Street is now offering tips for parents on post-trauma comfort because the federal government is physically and mentally abusing our country's children.
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
Like, it’s just weird, even if your dad left home when you were 5/6 (me too, as it happens), if he was doing an MBA when you were 3, you don’t get to claim that he didn’t go to uni, & that you were the first person in your family to do so? I mean I don’t care but who’s this supposed to impress?
January 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Like, it’s just weird, even if your dad left home when you were 5/6 (me too, as it happens), if he was doing an MBA when you were 3, you don’t get to claim that he didn’t go to uni, & that you were the first person in your family to do so? I mean I don’t care but who’s this supposed to impress?
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
Matt Goodwin makes a living out of railing against university educated elites & his whole schtick is "he was the first person in his family to go to university", which is a bit weird given that his Dad, now being heavily invoked for his Manchester connection, appears to have a string of degrees.
January 27, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Matt Goodwin makes a living out of railing against university educated elites & his whole schtick is "he was the first person in his family to go to university", which is a bit weird given that his Dad, now being heavily invoked for his Manchester connection, appears to have a string of degrees.
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
Video from this morning shows ICE agents deploying tear gas outside a Minneapolis preschool as parents shout, “This is a preschool! There’s kids here!”
January 27, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Video from this morning shows ICE agents deploying tear gas outside a Minneapolis preschool as parents shout, “This is a preschool! There’s kids here!”
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
The terror that ICE and CBP have inflicted on the children of the Twin Cities is, by itself, a crime of scandalous proportions that will forever stain this country's moral fabric, and all those responsible should never know another day of peace. www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
January 26, 2026 at 9:43 PM
The terror that ICE and CBP have inflicted on the children of the Twin Cities is, by itself, a crime of scandalous proportions that will forever stain this country's moral fabric, and all those responsible should never know another day of peace. www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
I simply can’t see how any conscientious, professional journalist can think what happened in Minneapolis is “a subject of sharply contradictory narratives” rather than a government blatantly lying in order to cover up a murder
January 25, 2026 at 12:26 AM
I simply can’t see how any conscientious, professional journalist can think what happened in Minneapolis is “a subject of sharply contradictory narratives” rather than a government blatantly lying in order to cover up a murder
Reposted by Aaron Ackerley
Big tech, “AI”, fascism, all hand in hand.
An insane, perfect encapsulation of it all:
The same day Trump’s agents kill a Veterans Affairs ICU nurse in broad daylight, the CEOs of Apple and Amazon join Trump to watch a private screening of a film about his wife directed by an alleged sexual abuser who was seen shirtless in the Epstein Files
The same day Trump’s agents kill a Veterans Affairs ICU nurse in broad daylight, the CEOs of Apple and Amazon join Trump to watch a private screening of a film about his wife directed by an alleged sexual abuser who was seen shirtless in the Epstein Files
January 25, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Big tech, “AI”, fascism, all hand in hand.