In today’s Digest, we look at Penske Media acquiring the Vox Media portfolio in a major publishing deal; Telegram losing its appeal against an app block in India; and the Attorney General ordering a government department off X over disinformation fears. 

Penske acquires Vox Media portfolio

Penske Media Corporation has acquired the portfolio of digital brands owned by Vox Media, including prominent titles such as The Verge, Eater, SB Nation, PopSugar, The Dodo, Punch and Thrillist. The acquisition significantly expands PMC’s media footprint and positions it as the world’s largest digital publisher.

To manage its growing portfolio, PMC has created a new subsidiary, PMX, which will house its publishing assets, including established brands such as Variety, Rolling Stone, Deadline, Billboard, Women's Wear Daily and The Hollywood Reporter. As part of the deal, former Vox Media president Ryan Pauley will join PMC as president of PMX Global, overseeing the expanded publishing operation.

Telegram loses India block appeal 

Telegram has lost its legal challenge against a temporary ban imposed by the Indian government, after the Delhi High Court ruled that authorities acted lawfully in restricting access to the app. The week-long ban, which runs from 16th to 22nd June, was introduced following allegations that examination papers for a major medical school entrance test had been leaked through channels on the platform.

The court held that the government was empowered to block public access to Telegram in order to protect the integrity of the examination process. Officials argued that Telegram’s features, including anonymous interactions and the ability to quickly recreate blocked channels, created enforcement challenges that distinguished it from other messaging services.

The decision has sparked criticism from digital rights advocates, who warn it could set a precedent for broader government intervention in online communications. Telegram founder Pavel Durov has argued that the restrictions unfairly impact users without addressing the root causes of exam leaks.

Attorney General orders department off X 

The office of Richard Hermer has become the first UK government department to stop posting on X, reflecting growing concerns over the platform’s role in amplifying misinformation, racism and civil unrest. The Attorney General’s Office made its last post on Friday, and officials have reportedly been instructed not to use the platform except when responding to disinformation. The move follows recent incidents of disorder in Southampton and Belfast, where online activity by far-right groups was accused of inflaming tensions and encouraging violence.

The decision highlights increasing pressure on the UK government to address the influence of social media platforms during periods of public unrest. While Keir Starmer and Downing Street have continued to defend government use of X as a means of reaching the public, ministers are pursuing changes to the Online Safety Act that would require platforms to remove harmful and inflammatory content more rapidly during crises.