Who we are

Status is the definitive daily briefing that takes readers inside the corridors of media power, delivering fearless journalism that holds society’s most influential leaders to account.

Drawing on a deep well of sourcing and industry expertise, Status delivers hard-hitting reporting and unflinching analysis on the news media, Hollywood, and Silicon Valley. New editions arrive in inboxes seven days a week, providing trusted and impactful storytelling you won’t find anywhere else.

Founded in 2024, Status covers the powerful companies and egos that help shape our understanding of the world, including The New York Times, CNN, and Fox News; Hollywood giants such as Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount; and technology companies such as X, Meta, Google, and TikTok.

While some corporate media outlets have buckled under political pressure, Status remains relentless in its pursuit of the truth without sugarcoating.

Status is proudly independent and relies on readers for support. We are not funded by billionaires. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help empower our independent voice.

The team

Oliver Darcy and Jon Passantino. Photo by Amir Hamja

Oliver Darcy
Founder, lead author

An award-winning media reporter who has built a reputation for consistently delivering impactful scoops and must-read insight that pulls back the curtain on the industry. Oliver has broken numerous consequential stories and is widely-read by those who steer the industry, including news executives, Hollywood chiefs, tech titans, top politicos, and others seeking a deeper understanding of the ever-changing media landscape. Prior to founding Status, Oliver was CNN’s senior media reporter and author of the Reliable Sources newsletter. When he’s not pursuing the latest big story, he loves spending time with his cat Mister Albert, embarking on photo safaris across New York, and exploring the city’s culinary scene.

Jon Passantino
Executive editor

A veteran news editor with nearly two decades of experience, Jon has previously covered and overseen breaking news and enterprise reporting for CNN, BuzzFeed News and Fox News. Most recently, he was the Media editor at CNN, where he directed daily news coverage and edited the Reliable Sources newsletter. When he’s not working at Status, he enjoys exercising, the endless pursuit of good coffee and playing with his two young children.

Brian Lowry
Hollywood correspondent and editor

Brian is a veteran media columnist, critic, and reporter who has covered the entertainment industry for CNN, Variety, and the Los Angeles Times, where he served as a television reporter and columnist. Brian has contributed to National Public Radio and co-hosted "Square Off," a weekly talk program about the television business. A UCLA graduate and long-suffering sports fan, Brian also wrote two authorized companion guides to Fox’s "The X-Files.” He never imagined that growing up a comic-book nerd would turn out to be professional training.

Natalie Korach
Media correspondent

Natalie Korach is an experienced media reporter who has covered the intersection of journalism, business, and politics for leading outlets including Vanity Fair, The Wrap, and Mediaite. She anchors the Wednesday and Sunday editions of the Status newsletter. At Vanity Fair, Natalie produced in-depth features on prominent media figures and chronicled the evolving media landscape with reporting on upstart and legacy organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys books generally classified as “beach reads,” collecting editions of old magazines, and consuming every reality TV show known to man.

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Contact us

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