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From the printing press to the digital age – how modern technology has transformed the media

UK public relations agency reflects on the innovations that have revolutionised the communications industry
Since the dawn on the British press, dating back to the 1690s, the invention of mass communication fundamentally changed how information was spread, democratised access to knowledge, and created a new platform for political and social discourse.

Now, over 300 years later, media is facing a new kind of revolutionary change as rapidly evolving tech fundamentally changes the way we receive and interpret news.

With over 2 decades of industry experience, UK public relations agency, Holyrood PR, have witnessed the rise of technology in the media from the growth of online news outlets to the emergence of AI.

In this piece, we're reflecting on the key turning points in media history—and how they've influenced the PR landscape.

The first media revolution: the printing press

Invented in the 15th century, the printing press marked a revolutionary turning point for humans across the world, providing citizens with access to information and ideas and marking the beginning of mass communication.

Prior to its invention, information was disseminated slowly through hand-copied manuscripts or town criers. Now, thanks to the printing press the production of printed materials became relatively inexpensive and quick.

For the first time, information could be reproduced at scale, laying the foundations for public discourse, journalism, and eventually, modern PR practices.

This seismic shift didn't just improve literacy and education—it empowered people to engage in political debate, question authority, and participate more fully in civic life. These early developments remain central to the ethos of modern public relations: empowering audiences with accessible, accurate, and timely information.

The rise of broadcasting

The 20th century uncovered the next major communications breakthrough, with the rise of broadcasting.

Radio broadcasting began with public services starting in 1922, when the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) launched daily broadcasts from its London studio.

This marked a major turning point in Communications, providing audiences with real-time news updates, mass-audience information and entertainment directly into people's homes.

Unlike newspapers, radio provided instantaneous updates on news, weather, and current events. During crises, such as the 1937 Ohio and Mississippi floods, radio broadcasts provided a national sense of unity by bringing the voices of those affected to millions of listeners.

The rise of television broadcasting which later followed in 1936, marked a visual extension of the radio, evolving into a mass medium in the post-World War II era. Its visual component allowed it to eclipse radio in popularity and influence, combining audio and moving images, television created a more immersive and powerful experience that profoundly reshaped media, culture, and society.

Online publications and the 24/7 news cycle

The advent of the internet in the late 20th century marked a dramatic shift in how news was produced and consumed. As traditional print outlets moved online and digital-first publications emerged, the media landscape became faster, more competitive, and far more fragmented.

This world-altering new technology created a fundamental shift in how we receive and interpret news, resulting in a relentless flow of updates, breaking stories, and real-time commentary that redefined journalistic pace and public expectations.

Suddenly, a story could be published, shared, and go viral in a matter of minutes. This meant faster responses, tighter deadlines, and greater pressure to manage brand reputation in real-time. For a journalist and public relations professionals, the rise of internet news demanded new skills: monitoring online sentiment, managing live crises, and maintaining consistent messaging across multiple channels.

Now, 31 years on from the launch of the World Wide Web the presence of online publications have fundamentally changed the way we access and consume news forever. Hundreds of traditional print newspapers across the world have moved entirely online and the popularity of print papers is depleting at a rapid rate as media outlets try to keep up with the ever-changing digital landscape.

Social media and the court of public opinion

Of all the innovations in mass communication, none has empowered the public quite as profoundly as social media.

Unlike previous technological breakthroughs, the rise of social media platforms such as X (formally Twitter), Instagram, and most recently - and perhaps most impactfully - TikTok provided the public an unfiltered voice—turning ordinary users into commentators, critics, and content creators.

Unlike traditional media, where stories were curated by journalists and editors, today's digital landscape allows news to be debated, dissected, and even challenged in real time by the general public. This shift has introduced a new kind of pressure for both media outlets and public relations professionals as the constant scrutiny of civic opinion shapes the media landscape in an unprecedented way.

A single viral post, trending hashtag, or influencer comment can trigger a massive public response—reflected in comment threads, reaction videos, and widespread sharing—as individuals use their platforms to make their voices heard and influence public discourse without any formal journalistic experience.

This shift has created a new layer of accountability, where transparency, authenticity, and speed are essential.

The AI revolution

As we step into the 2020s the rise of AI has marked another fundamental shift in the communications industry. From automated content generation to real-time media monitoring and predictive analytics, AI is changing how media and PR professionals plan, execute, and measure campaigns.

Tasks which would have previously taken multiple hours have now been reduced to the click of a button thanks to language learning models such as Chat GPT and Gemini. These tools have become an essential part of operations for media agencies around the world with three out of four PR professionals now using generative AI in their work.

As the industry continues to evolve, embracing AI has become a key part of maintaining high standards and delivering award-winning results.

However, the rise of AI also brings with it serious ethical questions. Users are increasingly confronted with convincing AI-generated videos designed to trick or confuse viewers, as well as being exposed to dangerous content such as deepfakes.

It is crucial that we continue to investigate and address these concerns from within the communications industry, ensuring that new technologies are used responsibly and transparently. As AI continues to evolve, public relations professionals will have a vital role to play in promoting accuracy, authenticity, and trust in the digital age.

Conclusion

From the invention of the printing press and the rise of broadcast to the new age of online news and social media discourse one thing remains true: the media and the spread of free and independent press have been a crucial element in providing the general public with information and influence for centuries.

While the tools and platforms may change, the core principles of communication remain the same: clarity, credibility, and connection. As the media continues to adapt and change, so do our public relations practices, helping clients navigate the evolving media landscape with strategies that are both innovative and grounded in proven principles.

Poker Chronicles: Tracing the Evolution of a Global Phenomenon

From smoky saloons of the American frontier to glittering casinos in Las Vegas and Monte Carlo, poker has woven itself into the fabric of global culture like few other games. This strategic card game, where a bit of brainpower and a dash of luck go hand in hand, has kept players hooked across continents and centuries. What began as a simple gambling pastime has evolved into a sophisticated sport that combines skill, strategy, and an understanding of human nature. We'll delve into poker's fascinating journey, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a global sensation. We'll explore the strategic depth that's kept it popular and pay tribute to the legendary games and players who've turned it into an art form. Whether you're a seasoned player or simply curious about this cultural touchstone, getting to grips with poker's rich history gives us a peek not just into a game, but into a mirror reflecting human nature itself.

The history of poker

The origins of poker stretch back through the mists of time, with historians tracing its lineage to various card games played across different continents. Most scholars agree that poker's earliest ancestor was likely the Persian game "As Nas," played with a 25-card deck as early as the 16th century. This game featured betting rounds and hand rankings that would feel familiar to modern poker games players. The game evolved as it travelled along trade routes, picking up elements from the French game "Poque" and the German "Pochen," both of which contributed to poker's emphasis on bluffing and psychological warfare.

The game as we recognise it today began taking shape in early 19th-century America, particularly along the Mississippi River. Riverboat gamblers and frontier settlers embraced this new form of entertainment, and the game spread rapidly westward during the Gold Rush era. Initially played with just 20 cards amongst four players, poker gradually evolved to incorporate the full 52-card deck, allowing for more players and complex hand combinations.

The Civil War period marked a crucial phase in poker's development, as soldiers from different regions shared their variations of the game, leading to standardisation of rules and the emergence of different variants. Draw poker dominated the late 1800s, but the 20th century brought innovations like stud poker and eventually community card games. The introduction of the World Series of Poker in 1970 transformed poker from a gambling curiosity into a legitimate competitive sport, whilst the internet revolution of the late 1990s and early 2000s brought poker into homes worldwide, creating a global community of players and elevating the game to unprecedented popularity.

The modern era has seen poker transcend its gambling roots to become a recognised mind sport, with professional tours, sponsorship deals, and television coverage rivalling traditional sports. Online platforms have democratised access to the game, allowing players from remote corners of the world to compete against the best, whilst artificial intelligence research has used poker as a testing ground for decision-making algorithms, further cementing its status as a game of genuine skill and strategy.

Understanding poker strategies

The strategic depth of poker lies in its perfect blend of mathematical precision and psychological intuition. Unlike games of pure chance, poker rewards players who can calculate odds, read opponents, and make optimal decisions under pressure. The foundation of all poker strategy rests on understanding pot odds – the ratio between the current size of the pot and the cost of a call. This mathematical concept helps players determine whether a particular play is profitable in the long run.

Position play represents another fundamental strategic element. Players acting later in a betting round possess a significant informational advantage, as they can observe their opponents' actions before making their own decisions. This positional awareness becomes particularly crucial in texas hold em, where community cards create complex strategic situations. Early position players must exercise caution with marginal hands, whilst those in late position can profitably play a wider range of starting hands.

The concept of ranges has revolutionised modern poker strategy. Rather than trying to pinpoint an opponent's exact holding, skilled players think in terms of ranges – the collection of hands an opponent might have based on their actions. This approach allows for more nuanced decision-making and helps players avoid the trap of results-oriented thinking. Hand reading becomes an exercise in narrowing down these ranges through careful observation of betting patterns, timing tells, and physical behaviour.

Bankroll management, whilst often overlooked by amateur players, forms the backbone of professional poker success. The variance inherent in poker means that even the most skilled players will experience losing streaks. Proper bankroll management ensures that players can weather these inevitable downswings whilst maximising their earning potential during upswings. Most professionals recommend maintaining at least 20-30 buy-ins for cash games and 100+ buy-ins for tournament play.

The psychological aspect of poker strategy cannot be understated. The ability to control emotions, maintain focus during long sessions, and make rational decisions despite financial pressure separates good players from great ones. Tilt – the state of emotional frustration that leads to poor decision-making – is perhaps the biggest leak in most players' games. Developing emotional resilience and self-awareness has become as important as mastering mathematical concepts in modern poker education.

Famous poker games and players

The pantheon of poker legends reads like a collection of larger-than-life characters who have shaped the game's culture and elevated its profile. The wsop has served as the stage for many of poker's most memorable moments, crowning champions and creating legends since its inception in 1970. The tournament's Main Event, with its prestigious gold bracelet and massive prize pools, represents the pinnacle of poker achievement.

Johnny Moss, poker's first official world champion, embodied the old-school gambling spirit that defined early professional poker. His legendary heads-up marathon against Nick "The Greek" Dandalos at Binion's Horseshoe Casino lasted five months and drew crowds of spectators, helping establish Las Vegas as poker's spiritual home. This epic confrontation demonstrated poker's entertainment value and laid the groundwork for the modern tournament structure.

Stu Ungar's tragic brilliance illuminated poker's potential for pure intellectual domination. Widely considered the greatest tournament player of all time, Ungar's three WSOP Main Event victories (1980, 1981, 1997) showcased an intuitive understanding of the game that bordered on supernatural. His ability to read opponents and calculate odds instantly made him nearly unbeatable in his prime, though personal demons ultimately cut short his remarkable career.

The modern era has produced equally compelling figures, with players like Phil Hellmuth, known as the "Poker Brat" for his emotional outbursts and record 16 WSOP bracelets, bringing personality and drama to televised poker. Doyle Brunson's "Super System," published in 1978, revolutionised poker strategy and education, whilst his back-to-back Main Event victories in 1976 and 1977 cemented his status as a poker icon.

The "poker boom" of the early 2000s created new stars like Chris Moneymaker, whose 2003 WSOP Main Event victory after qualifying through an online satellite tournament inspired millions of amateur players to try their hand at the game. This democratisation of poker, combined with the "hole card cam" technology that allowed television audiences to see players' cards, transformed poker from a niche gambling activity into mainstream entertainment.

Female pioneers like Vanessa Selbst and Liv Boeree have broken barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field, proving that poker success knows no gender boundaries. Their achievements have inspired a new generation of women to pursue poker professionally, gradually changing the demographic landscape of the game. International players have also left their mark, with figures like Gus Hansen from Denmark and Patrik Antonius from Finland demonstrating that poker excellence transcends national boundaries.

The lasting legacy of a timeless game

The journey through poker's rich history reveals a game that has continuously evolved whilst maintaining its core appeal – the eternal human fascination with risk, reward, and the challenge of outwitting opponents. From its murky origins in ancient card games to its current status as a globally televised sport, poker has demonstrated remarkable adaptability and staying power. The strategic depth we've explored shows why poker has attracted some of the world's sharpest minds, creating a competitive arena where mathematical precision meets psychological warfare.

The legendary players and games that have shaped poker's narrative continue to inspire new generations of enthusiasts, whilst technological advances and global connectivity ensure the game's continued growth and evolution. As artificial intelligence challenges human players and virtual reality promises new ways to experience the game, poker's future appears as dynamic as its storied past.

For those inspired to delve deeper into this fascinating world, remember that poker offers rewards far beyond monetary gain – it develops critical thinking, emotional control, and decision-making skills valuable in all aspects of life. Whether you're drawn to the mathematical puzzles, the psychological challenges, or simply the thrill of competition, poker's rich tapestry offers something for everyone willing to learn and grow with this timeless game.

Long and Storied History of the Bible Throughout Humanity

The Bible stands as perhaps the most influential and enduring text in human history, shaping civilizations, inspiring art and literature, and providing spiritual guidance to billions across millennia. This remarkable collection of writings has traversed centuries, languages, and cultures, evolving from ancient scrolls to modern digital platforms while maintaining its profound impact on humanity.

The origins of the Bible trace back roughly 3,500 years to the ancient Near East. The oldest portions of what would become the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament, emerged from oral traditions before being committed to writing around the 12th century BCE. These early texts captured the religious experiences, laws, poetry, and historical narratives of the ancient Israelites. The development of these sacred writings was not instantaneous but occurred gradually over nearly a millennium, with different books written in various historical contexts by numerous authors.

As these texts gained religious significance, they underwent careful preservation and transmission. Scribes meticulously copied manuscripts by hand, developing elaborate systems to ensure accuracy. The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the mid-20th century, provided remarkable evidence of this transmission process, containing biblical manuscripts dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE that showed remarkable consistency with later versions; such as with VBS Church curriculum.

The New Testament emerged in the first century CE following the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Written primarily in Koine Greek, these texts began as letters to early Christian communities, accounts of Jesus's life and teachings, and apocalyptic literature. Over time, the early church engaged in careful discernment to determine which writings would constitute the official canon. This process culminated in the 4th century CE with formal recognition of the 27 books that now comprise the New Testament.

The Bible's journey across languages represents one of the most significant aspects of its history. Originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, translation efforts began remarkably early. The Septuagint, a Greek translation of Hebrew scriptures completed around the 2nd century BCE, made these texts accessible throughout the Hellenistic world. Latin translations followed, culminating in Jerome's Vulgate in the late 4th century CE, which became the standard Bible of Western Christianity for over a millennium.

The invention of the printing press in the mid-15th century revolutionized Bible distribution. Johannes Gutenberg's Bible, completed around 1455, stands as the first major book printed with movable type in the Western world. This technological advancement dramatically reduced production costs and increased availability, helping to democratize access to scripture. The era of mass-produced Bibles had begun, forever changing how people engaged with these texts.

The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century further transformed the Bible's place in society. Reformers like Martin Luther championed the principle of sola scriptura (scripture alone) and prioritized translations into vernacular languages. Luther's German Bible and the English King James Version (completed in 1611) profoundly influenced their respective languages and cultures. These translations enabled ordinary people to read scripture for themselves rather than relying exclusively on clergy interpretation.

As European powers established colonial empires, missionary efforts spread the Bible globally. Translations multiplied exponentially, with organizations like the British and Foreign Bible Society (founded 1804) and Wycliffe Bible Translators (founded 1942) systematically working to make scripture available in every language. Today, the complete Bible has been translated into more than 700 languages, with portions available in over 3,500 languages, making it by far the most translated text in human history.

The Bible's influence extends far beyond religious contexts. Its narratives, themes, and language have permeated literature, art, music, and political discourse. From Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling to Handel's Messiah, from Milton's Paradise Lost to the speeches of Martin Luther King Jr., biblical influences are woven throughout Western cultural heritage. Even in increasingly secular societies, biblical literacy remains essential for understanding countless cultural references and historical developments.

Modern biblical scholarship has brought new dimensions to understanding these ancient texts. Archaeological discoveries have illuminated the historical contexts in which the Bible emerged. Linguistic analysis has clarified obscure passages. Comparative studies have situated biblical writings within broader ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean contexts. Digital technologies have created new possibilities for textual analysis and accessibility, with numerous translations, commentaries, and research tools now available online and through mobile applications.

Throughout history, the Bible has been interpreted through diverse lenses. Jewish, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions have developed distinctive approaches to these shared texts. Liberation theologians have read scripture through the experiences of the oppressed. Feminist scholars have reexamined biblical portrayals of women. These varying perspectives reflect the text's remarkable adaptability across different cultural and historical contexts.

Despite centuries of criticism and challenges from scientific discoveries and changing social norms, the Bible remains astonishingly relevant for millions of people worldwide. Religious communities continue to find meaning, comfort, and ethical guidance in its pages. Its teachings on justice, compassion, forgiveness, and human dignity continue to inspire social movements and individual acts of kindness.

The enduring history of the Bible attests to its extraordinary resilience and adaptability. From ancient scrolls to smartphone apps, from hand-copied manuscripts to mass-produced editions, these texts have continued to speak to fundamental human questions about meaning, purpose, morality, and transcendence. As humanity faces the challenges of the 21st century, the Bible's long and storied journey continues, its narrative still unfolding after thousands of years of remarkable history.

OneClickDrive- UAE's Foremost Car Rental Marketplace Launches Hassle-Free Car Rentals Across Morocco

After success in the UAE, OneClickDrive is now extending its services to Morocco, to cater to the growing needs of the area for reliable and affordable car rental services. This venture seeks to improve the experience of travelers, locals, and business professionals for rent car Morocco with an excellent fleet of vehicles, seamless booking processes, and competitive prices.

Every year, Morocco attracts thousands of tourists to its rich cultural heritage, scenic landscapes, and busy cities. Nowadays, car rentals are a necessary service that can truly suit an essential requirement for any visitor who wants to explore the diverse regions of this popular country strategically and commercially- be it a road trip through the Atlas Mountains, a visit to the crowded streets of Marrakech, or a drive across the coastal cities such as Casablanca and Agadir. OneClickDrive aims to fulfill this requirement with cheap car rental Casablanca through a streamlined, trustworthy and easily accessible experience.

At OneClickDrive, customers will have various vehicles available for their selection ranging from small compact to big family cars, SUVs and luxury cars, etc. from reputable local rental providers. Such broad range would serve all the particular needs from business, leisure, or special events.

One of the main attractions of this platform is its commitment in simplifying the whole process of renting a car a. By visiting its easy-to-navigate website and mobile application, customers are able to browse through different car models, view the prices and select rental options suitable for their preferences and traveling needs. In addition, the platform provides all necessary information to customers about each vehicle alongside quality high-resolution images, detailed specifications and terms and conditions of the rental agreement.

OneClickDrive is fully committed to informing customers regarding all aspects of the deal and is completely transparent with regard to what they are paying for- no unexpected hidden fees. Flexible rental durations can also be opted, be it for a few hours, a full day, or even weeks depending on individual need.

As OneClickDrive continues to spread its roots throughout the Middle East and now into Morocco, the platform is still focused on bringing very high-quality service, unbeatable convenience, and a customer-centric experience. With proven successes in the UAE that are now adapted to Morocco's unique market, OneClickDrive is all set to become the go-to place in car rentals.

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