The new feature has been created following extensive feedback from the PinkNews audience and follows a Reuters study that showed that 46 per cent of people in the UK actively avoid the news due to reasons including a lack of diversity, the news making respondents feel depressed, and feeling like they did not have any control over the stories being covered.

The uplifting news filter feature will at first be available on the PinkNews apps and followed by the website in 2023.

Benjamin Cohen, PinkNews’ CEO, commented: “PinkNews serves a diverse global community and our mission to inform, inspire change and empower people to be themselves is at the very centre of all that we do. The relaunch of the website and apps is an authentic continuation of our brand story, where our vision of inclusivity and innovation is brought to life. As a business, we have long championed under-represented voices and through this, we have recognised the need to allow our audience only to see uplifting stories if they so wish.”

The new PinkNews website and apps also have three further new features including improved functionality around accessibility, sustainability, and personalisation – with a focus on digital inclusivity, well-being, and environmental impact. Keep reading for more information.

ACCESSIBILITY

• Colours used have passed accessibility tests for visually impaired people
• Correct image labelling to ensure the best experience for people using screen readers
• Enabled text-to-speech functionality on articles, so audiences will be able to listen to stories
• Improved search functionality – making it quicker and easier for readers to find what they are looking for

SUSTAINABILITY

To reduce carbon emissions the PinkNews team are ensuring the website runs more efficiently by writing cleaner code, optimising images, and improving SEO, which reduces the time it takes people to find what they are looking for.

PERSONALISATION

The PinkNews global audience ranges from Gen Z to the post-war generation from across the LGBTQ+ community; each is looking to experience PinkNews in a different way that suits them. Within the new PinkNews apps, each person can create a personalised newsfeed based on their personal preferences, allowing them to get a digital brand experience that suits and serves them best.

Chief Product Officer, Sarah Watson said: “I’m delighted to launch the new PinkNews website and apps, designed and built entirely in-house by our talented team. Our primary goal was to create an easily accessible, more inclusive space for our global LGBTQ+ audience and their allies. By significantly improving our core web vitals, using a flexible, scalable design language and introducing new features like our uplifting news filter. This is the first important step in bringing wider inclusivity to the PinkNews digital experience and we will continue to make positive changes to our offering based on reader feedback and experience.”