At Media Party X, Chris Moran, Head of Editorial Innovation at The Guardian, highlighted the need to bridge the gap between journalists and developers. Citing tools like Ophan and date-stamping archived images, Moran showed that treating journalism as a product allows newsrooms to solve critical editorial challenges while enhancing user experience.
To overcome the chaos of legacy newsrooms, Moran outlined The Guardian’s strategy of pairing editorial experts directly with software engineers inside dedicated news experience teams. This structure ensures metrics do not overshadow editorial nuance, offering strategic discipline for long-term innovation while remaining flexible enough to react to fast-moving news cycles.
Reflecting on the rise of AI and changing platform landscapes, Moran stressed that media outlets must stay grounded in their core identity instead of chasing generic trends. He concluded by urging creators to “make more pandas”—a metaphor for developing rare, high-value, and distinctive journalistic innovations that reinforce what makes a publication irreplaceable.
Don’t miss the full presentation! Watch Chris Moran’s Keynote at Media Party X.
