I’ve been following Mike Farrell’s reporting for years, from his time at the Boston Globe to POLITICO to CyberScoop. So when I saw he was launching a new media outlet called Compiler, I was eager to see what he had up his sleeve.
Launched in 2024, Compiler is focused on global tech policy, covering the people, institutions, and global forces shaping our digital future.
Mike was nice enough to talk to me about his vision for the newsroom, what he looks for in a story, and some of the biggest mistakes he sees PR reps make when reaching out to reporters. Not to mention some great podcast recs. Here’s Mike:
Mike Lizun: What’s your vision for Compiler?
Mike Farrell: Ultimately, we’re trying to build a more accessible and approachable platform for global tech policy intelligence.
That means giving readers free access to the highest quality policy journalism and most relevant information that will better inform critical decisions about the role of technology in society. We’re working to build a truly global publication for and about people making tech policy or working to influence it — from anywhere in the world.
It’s an ambitious plan but one that’s incredibly important at this moment in which policymakers globally are trying to understand how to regulate artificial intelligence, how to ensure equal competition on the internet, how to end ransomware or maintain privacy online while reducing harms.
These are complex issues and there isn’t a go-to global publication dedicated to writing about them in a robust way with an eye toward solutions. We have a long way to go, but so far the response has been tremendous.
What was missing from global tech policy coverage that you want to bring more attention to?
The issue is that there isn’t much quality, freely available global tech policy coverage at all.
Sure, there are outlets in Washington, New York, and Silicon Valley that cover U.S. tech policy or wade into these conversations when tech CEOs testify in front of Congress. But what’s happening in Japan in regards to tech policy? Who are the international players attempting to influence the conversation on AI at the United Nations? How is India dealing with the spread of disinformation? What are groups in Pakistan doing to protect women from being victimized by deep fake porn?
These are real issues, and the solutions to them can help policymakers everywhere create smarter regulation around technology – and help the public make decisions, too. Also, there’s just not a lot of space for reporters to produce good, technical journalism around complex issues. Compiler is hoping to provide that space.
Why now? What trends make Compiler’s coverage particularly important?
There’s just so much at stake in the policy conversation around technology. Look at what some really smart people are saying about advancements in artificial intelligence. Is it the end of humanity or some kind of digital savior? Or is it all just marketing hype? Either way, AI is creating so much confusion and concern among the public and policymakers globally.
There are also so many different players with different agendas involved in this debate. It seems like I hear about a new institute or center dedicated to AI on a weekly basis. What’s their agenda? Who are they? And are they advocating a point of view that’s best for the public or corporations?
I hope Compiler can be a trusted and reliable resource that will help readers not just navigate the issues, but more clearly understand the motivations behind organizations and people who have emerged as influential voices in these debates.
What do you see working in media today that you hope to replicate? What are audiences gravitating toward?
There are some really exceptional nonprofit newsrooms that are models for Compiler. The 19th is one of our biggest influences. The publication named for the 19th Amendment responded to a need for smarter and more accessible journalism about gender issues and representation.
Over the past few years, they have produced exceptional journalism, produced high-quality events, and built an engaged community of readers and supporters. That’s what we’re attempting to do around the tech policy conversation.
I think audiences want options. They want different ways to engage with stories and journalists. Some will want to engage in person at events or through newsletters, others will want to engage through Instagram or TikTok. Our job is to be exceptional on any platform.
What makes for a great story for Compiler? What elements do you look for?
We’re chiefly interested in solutions to tough problems. It’s easy to admire problems or point out flaws in technology. There’s plenty of that kind of reporting, especially about cybersecurity. But who are the interesting people and new ideas that will address the toughest problems? Who are the people that are making a difference or making waves?
We want stories that are compelling and will help readers navigate tough issues — and be better equipped to make tough decisions.
What are the biggest mistakes PR teams make when they reach out to you?
Not doing enough homework to really understand how various publications approach stories or what they write about. 404 Media is going to have a much different approach to the recent Crowdstrike story than Dark Reading, for instance. The best people working in PR understand this and have personal relationships with reporters.
And there should be a blanket ban on sending canned quotes to reporters after news events. They don’t get used, nor should they. It’s a bad practice on all fronts.
What books/podcasts/resources would you recommend to cybersecurity PR and marketing people?
There are some great cybersecurity podcasts. I’m biased, but I’m a big fan of CybeScoop’s Safe Mode podcast that I launched when I was editor-in-chief there. Elias Groll does a fantastic job as host and has great guests.
Even though it’s not always about cybersecurity, the Lawfare Podcast is incredibly smart and entertaining. I’d say that the Risky Business podcast should be required listening for anyone working in cyber PR.
In terms of books, cyber PR and marketing folks should read every book that a cybersecurity journalist publishes. If anything, you’ll win flattery points if a journalist knows you just read their book.