Sep 5, 2026 · 1h 11m
Jessica Lessin bets on scale without sacrificing independent tech journalism
The Information Age
The episode tests whether a subscription technology publication can expand globally, add products, and stay independent as media economics and AI reshape reporting.
- 1Jessica Lessin is building The Information as a global, subscription-led technology publication rather than pursuing a quick exit.
- 2The Information is expanding through China coverage, Singapore-based reporting, finance journalism, video, and AI-enhanced products.
- 3The hosts weigh prediction-market ethics, sports-video ambitions, and the declining influence of individual cable-news anchors.
Don't miss
Jessica Lessin argues that direct-to-audience commentary from technology leaders still leaves contradictions and gaps that independent journalists must pursue.
The brief
The weekly media roundup moves from John Galliano and Anna Wintour’s Met Gala fallout to Pablo Torre’s reporting, prediction-market ethics, sports video, and Maria Bartiromo’s Fox News exit.
The hosts question whether The Athletic can become a serious live-video competitor, and whether partnerships with prediction markets create reputational risks media companies cannot avoid.
Jessica Lessin explains why The Information is expanding internationally, including China coverage and a Singapore reporting team, even as automated feeds make news abundant.
Lessin describes a business built on subscriptions, advertising, brand partnerships, video, and professional products, with AI potentially strengthening deeply reported resources such as company org charts.
The sharpest tension is between direct distribution and independent journalism: technology leaders can speak to audiences themselves, but their narratives still leave gaps reporters must investigate.
Lessin frames The Information as a long-term project with no plan to sell, while welcoming journalists who leave institutions to build competing media businesses.
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