On this episode of The Media Copilot, host Pete Pachal sits down with Cory Ondrejka (SmartNews; formerly Meta/Facebook and Google; co-creator of Second Life) to explore NewsArc, a new app that rethinks how we get informed in an AI-saturated world. Instead of engagement-max feeds or one-click AI summaries, NewsArc uses large language models for under-the-hood analysis—extracting claims, detecting polarization, mapping who had the story first—and then curates a “Daily Dozen”: twelve current news events (not just topics) with the single best article to read right now, plus 1–3 add-ons if they genuinely deepen understanding. No summaries replacing journalism. No outrage loops. And yes…publishers get paid.
Why this matters
News avoidance is on the rise and it’s no mystery why. After more than a decade of algorithmically-driven feeds designed to maximize engagement at all costs, many readers feel overwhelmed, manipulated, or simply exhausted. The promise of information abundance has too often turned into a minefield of outrage bait and echo chambers, leaving even the most curious minds tuning out.
But large language models (LLMs) offer a turning point…if they’re used responsibly. Beyond chatbots and generic summaries, LLMs can be deployed to extract factual claims, assess quality, detect duplication, and trace how stories evolve across the media landscape. Rather than replacing journalism, they can help elevate it, surfacing the clearest, most complete versions of a story without dragging readers through a maze of noise.
That’s the approach NewsArc is betting on. In contrast to hyper-personalized content silos, the app curates a shared “front page” tuned for the informed American reader. The goal isn’t to feed you what you already believe, but to present a well-rounded, trustable snapshot of what matters, without hijacking your attention or narrowing your worldview.
Just as important, NewsArc’s model respects the economics of journalism. Publishers are compensated for their content; their articles are not used to train or fine-tune AI behind their backs. No scraped prose, no unauthorized paraphrasing…just a fair, transparent exchange that supports the future of the news ecosystem rather than undermining it.
What We Cover
Why news feeds went off the rails
We explore how social media-style news feeds—designed to keep you scrolling—got hijacked by outrage and misinformation. Mixing news with engagement algorithms turned staying informed into a battlefield for attention.
How NewsArc actually works
Instead of just summarizing headlines, NewsArc uses AI to scan tens of thousands of articles every day, judging them on clarity, quality, originality (who reported it first), and whether new versions actually add anything useful—or just repeat the same points.
What the “Daily Dozen” really is
NewsArc doesn’t bury you in stories. It gives you 12 major news events at a time, each with one article that’s actually worth your attention—plus a few deeper reads if you want more context. No summaries, no fluff, just the best reporting.
Build your own “magazine”
With features like Collections and Variety, you can customize your own mix of trusted sources—like combining The Atlantic, Road & Track, and The Verge into one feed—and discover timely bundles of stories, from global politics to Taylor Swift.
Cut through the bias noise
Rather than label stories as left or right, NewsArc breaks them down by factual claims. Turns out, even across partisan outlets, most news coverage agrees on the core facts. The difference is usually in tone, not truth.
How publishers stay in the loop
Unlike platforms that scrape or summarize content without permission, NewsArc pays publishers directly. No training its AI on their writing, no shortcuts—just a model that respects the work of journalists and ensures the people creating the news actually benefit from how it’s shared.
Where all this is heading
We talk about what a healthier future for news could look like—one driven by thoughtful curation, not clicks. Cory explains why AI should enhance reporting, not replace it, and how tools like translation could expand access to important stories. And as chatbots try to swallow the internet, he makes the case for news apps that respect both your time and the people who wrote what you’re reading.
Takeaways
NewsArc offers a refreshing alternative to the chaos of modern news consumption. Instead of endless scrolling and falling into algorithm traps, it gives you a curated "Daily Dozen"...twelve news events that actually matter, each matched with the single most useful article and only the follow-ups that truly add insight. It's a calmer, faster way to stay informed that cuts through the noise without sacrificing depth.
You’re no longer punished for being curious or clicking on a single topic, only to be overwhelmed with dozens of nearly identical stories for days. And because NewsArc surfaces original reporting, not AI rewrites or recycled summaries, you’re engaging with journalism selected for its substance, not just its click potential.
If you want more control, you can create your own custom magazine using your favorite trusted sources. NewsArc’s AI still does the work of ranking the most valuable reads, helping you focus on what matters. It’s a smarter, more intentional way to read the news that avoids outrage, overload, and wasted time.
Guest
Cory Ondrejka | EVP, SmartNews / Creator of NewsArc
LinkedIn | smartnews.com
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🎧 Produced by Pete Pachal and Executive Producer Michele Musso
🎬 Edited by the Musso Media Team
© 2025 Musso Media. All rights reserved.
🎵 Music: “Favorite” by Alexander Nakarada, licensed under CC BY 4.0
© AnyWho Media 2025
