The Fix Media

19 Mar 2025 17:05

📢 New support for Ukrainian media!

The Fix Foundation and European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) have launched a new wave of the "Voices of Ukraine" program to equip small regional media outlets operating in Ukraine amid the war.

Who can apply?
✅ Small regional media in Ukraine
✅ Frontline/hyperlocal outlets needing gear for reporting (e.g., mobile journalism tools, video equipment)

💸 Support: Up to €1,600 per journalist or €10,000 per outlet

⏰ Deadline: March 30

📍 Apply now ➡️ https://forms.gle/MXrQ71PinGovqbox7

✍ Contact us at VoU@thefix.foundation if you have any questions

📖 Read more about the initiative here.

The program is part of the Hannah-Arendt Initiative and is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

The Fix Media

17 Mar 2025 16:28

Berlin's taz newspaper arguably combines the best of both worlds: solid print subscription revenue while keeping digital content free through voluntary reader contributions. For The Fix, Clara Nack looked at their model.

The Fix Media

14 Mar 2025 15:34

From the streets of London to the inboxes of thousands, The London Centric is uncovering the city’s hidden stories. Jim Waterson's venture blends personal engagement and in-depth reporting, offering a fresh approach to local journalism, Irina Matchavariani writes.

The Fix Media

12 Mar 2025 15:43

The U.S. aid freeze signals a bleak future for Russian independent media. To survive, they may need to rethink their audiences, Veronica Snoj writes in her latest article for The Fix.

The Fix Media

07 Mar 2025 13:36

As many in the media have learned the hard way, good journalists are not necessarily good managers. But some can be, especially with the right training. Many of the traits that make one a good reporter, like curiosity and interpersonal skills, are no less relevant for managerial roles.

1️⃣ To make the leap, show initiative and think past the traditional church/state model

To get promoted, you need to be proactive and show initiative. Brad Wolverton, Editorial Director of HubSpot Media Network, suggests taking on smaller management opportunities before making the leap. “Take opportunities to mentor people and take opportunities to raise your hand when the team is going through strategic planning processes and participate.”

Raju Narisetti, who leads publishing at McKinsey, advises thinking beyond the traditional church and state model of journalism and embracing the intersections of editorial, business and product/tech. “I would encourage people to think about how church and state can work together. 'What are the skills I need? What do I bring? What do I not have?'”

2️⃣ As a manager, be generous with your time – and willing to help others

Kait Bolongaro, who leads a 30-people team covering Europe at MLex Market Insight, believes that a good manager should also have “the heart of a teacher”. Mentoring more junior team members is a big part of the job. “You have to go in willing to invest in people and be generous with your experience, try to find ways that you can help them.”

3️⃣ Learn to “take your ego out of the equation”

Star reporters are used to the limelight. Editors and managers, on the other hand, do their best work in nurturing talent, improving other people's work, and creating an environment where others can shine.

One potential solution is blocking some time for doing creative work as an individual contributor, whether as part of your main job or by launching a side project. Gerbert van Loenen leads a team of trainers at DPG Media but still makes sure to spend around one-third of his working time developing his own programmes.

4️⃣ Cultivate diverse interests

The higher up the chain you are, the more diverse skill set is required. Raju Narisetti says he tries to be “a couple of inches deep but a mile wide.” “Often you have colleagues, people in the team who are very specialised that you can turn to. What you sometimes don't have is a bunch of people who are broadly aware of a lot of things.”

5️⃣ Lean on your storytelling skills

Gerbert van Loenen points out that reporters are natural storytellers – a skill that is no less relevant for leaders. “I know we do need KPIs and clear objectives, but it's not the centre of being a leader. The centre of being a leader is telling a story. Where are we going? Why are we going there? How are we going there?”

📍 Find more tips in the full article.

The Fix Media

04 Mar 2025 15:02

The Gisèle Pelicot trial in France has shaped how news media report on sexual violence. Romain Chauvet looks at the lessons news leaders can take away in the latest article for The Fix.

The Fix Media

02 Mar 2025 18:04

✌️ Good evening! Here is the recap of the stories we published this month:

▪️ Meta’s fact-checking shutdown sparks fears of disinfo crisis in Balkans

▪️ “It’s a shock” – end of US aid threatens future of independent media outlets in Balkans and Eastern Europe

▪️ How a Roma news agency relies on YouTube to hope to survive in Hungary

▪️ Trump’s chaos – early winners & losers in media

▪️ Can solutions journalism in local media be the solution to news fatigue in Spain?

▪️ 30 top European news publishers on TikTok in 2025

▪️ How Internazionale defies the decline of Italian print media

▪️ How AI avatars help inform Venezuelans and resist censorship

▪️ Three years of war: five reflections from our coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

▪️ “Fight before it is too late”: arrest of Georgian journalist signals media crackdown

▪️ 24,000 new subscribers in two weeks – Denník N's wildly successful anniversary campaign

The Fix Media

27 Feb 2025 17:02

Slovak newspaper Denník N smashed its 6-week subscription goal in just 4 days. We spoke with Chief Digital Officer Tomáš Bella about how they turned mission-driven journalism into 24,000+ new subscribers.

The Fix Media

25 Feb 2025 15:25

US funding freeze leaves Balkan independent media vulnerable to smear campaigns and political pressure. Serbia's journalists face the brunt of attacks. Read our deep dive into the region's press freedom crisis.

The Fix Media

21 Feb 2025 12:04

The future of journalism is undeniably visual. As social media shapes how audiences consume news, visual journalism becomes increasingly vital in cutting through the clutter and engaging audiences effectively.

◼ According to BBC World Wide News investigative and data journalist Lazar Čovs, social media platforms have redefined storytelling. "Younger generations don't want to click through to a website anymore," he notes, pushing newsrooms to produce platform-specific content.

◼ "If you think of the digital space, social media is the boulevard and our website is like a back alley. We're trying to lure people into the alley with candies, saying, 'Come with me!'—but they're not going to do it. They'll stay on the boulevard, surrounded by bright lights and ads."

◼ The Instagram carousel format has emerged as one of the most effective tools. "If you want to create a timeline or tell a linear story, the carousel can be a perfect format. It's natural for people to scroll left to right," Čovs explains.

◼ Similarly, TikTok’s rise as a dominant platform requires news outlets to create short, visually engaging videos that can convey key information in seconds.

◼ Scrollytelling has become particularly relevant for younger audiences who consume content by scrolling on their phones. "For them, scrollytelling feels completely natural," Čovs observes. "They scroll, and something keeps happening—that's how the story unfolds."

◼ A skilled storyteller or online producer, according to Čovs, must understand this dynamic and tailor the experience accordingly. “Knowing the semiotics of interfaces—where people are likely to look, click, or tap—is crucial,” he advises.

◼ Today's tools make scrollytelling more accessible than ever. With just a one-day workshop, he argues, journalists can learn to create simple but effective charts or graphs to accompany their stories.

◼ When it comes to ensuring that visuals are readable and effective, Čovs has a straightforward method: showing to one of two people in your newsroom with the least digital literacy. If they understand the visual, where to click, and how to interpret the information, it’s likely clear enough for the broader audience.

📍 Learn more about social media’s impact on storytelling in the full article.

The Fix Media

17 Feb 2025 17:00

How can a magazine curating foreign press in Italian survive in the age of internet and AI-powered translation? Alessandro Pilo discussed this with Internazionale’s director and founder Giovanni De Mauro.

The Fix Media

14 Feb 2025 11:06

They were everywhere just a few years ago – at the subway exits, street corners, or even at the office. The most popular ones were probably 20 Minutes and Metro. However, this period of democratisation of access to news is over. In recent years, many free print newspapers have died across Europe.

◼ In France, the last free newspaper, 20 Minutes, stopped its printed edition this summer and laid off a third of its digital workforce. In the UK, The London Evening Standard printed its final paper last month ahead of a move to weekly-only editions. The British paper's daily circulation has dropped from 850,000 to 275,000 in the past five years, losing £84.5m over the past six years.

◼ In Switzerland, the free-printed newspaper 20 Minuten tries to resist. According to figures provided by the company, 20 Minuten reaches over 2 million daily readers, online and in print, across Switzerland.

◼ “There is no European country where newspapers are a profitable economic sector,” said Roberta Carlini, part-time assistant professor at the European University Institute. “The crisis is of course deeper in some countries, but the trend of decline is everywhere in Europe. The business model of the newspaper, and particularly for free newspapers, has been disrupted by the digital evolution.”

◼ The model was simple at the beginning. Free newspapers relied on advertising revenue instead of sales. The costs of producing information and printing were assumed by the media, thanks to the advertisers. But it simply doesn't work anymore with digitalisation.

◼ “The situation was different before. The newspaper, including free ones, didn't need revenue from the readers, because the advertising was so high. But with the personalisation of advertising, advertisers are going more and more digital, considering that the services online offered by the platform are much more efficient,” said Carlini.

◼ Many newspapers have changed their model and have opted for paywalls in recent years. However, for free newspapers, this is simply impossible. “The free press was born on the idea of being free and couldn't count on the second pillar of revenue, from the readers. Now it's too late, they cannot change their strategy,” notes Carlini.

📍 Learn more about the fate of free newspapers in the full article.

The Fix Media

12 Feb 2025 16:51

🇪🇸 As news deserts spread globally, Spanish local media are looking for a way to stay relevant: solutions journalism. The approach is rebuilding trust – and changing how stories are told, Romain Chauvet writes in his latest article for The Fix.

The Fix Media

10 Feb 2025 18:21

Our analysis of media winners and losers in Trump’s shakeup: foreign aid freeze devastates independent media abroad, some outlets see a second Trump bump.

The Fix Media

07 Feb 2025 11:04

For over a decade, Predrag Blagojevic advanced investigative journalism in Serbia, a country where press freedom was increasingly under threat. During our recent interview, he reflected on his career.

◼ Now based in Vancouver, Blagojevic advises media outlets as a Media Development and Community Engagement Advisor for IREX. His journey – from founding and building Južne vesti from the ground up to eventually leaving his homeland – sheds light on the hurdles facing independent media in Serbia and beyond.

◼ Južne vesti was born in 2009 out of Blagojevic's frustration with the state of journalism in Serbia. "I had a very good story about corruption at the Nis International Airport," Blagojevic recalls. "My editor told me, sorry, we cannot run this." After being turned down by several national outlets, Blagojevic decided to create his own platform.

◼ Starting with just two web developers and himself as the sole journalist, Južne vesti began as a fresh project focused on southern Serbia. Their mission was clear: to cover local issues and uncover corruption. However, with increased prominence came increased scrutiny.

◼ Despite mounting pressure from government officials and online harassment, Južne vesti's innovative approach to sustainability set them apart. Alongside traditional grant funding, they developed a sister company, Simplicity, focusing on web development. This commercial venture provided additional income, and also allowed them to create and sell content management systems tailored for media outlets.

◼ However, the constant pressure took its toll. Blagojevic's mental health suffered, and the threats extended to his family. His wife, a university professor, faced pressure at work due to his journalism. The final straw came when Blagojevic and his top executives were threatened with arrest on dubious charges.

◼ In 2018, Blagojevic made the difficult decision to leave Serbia and step back from active involvement in Južne vesti. "I don't consider that to be a win," he reflects on their legal victories against government charges, which cleared them of all the allegations. "We won, but what was the cost?"

◼ Drawing from his experience, Blagojevic offers measured advice to aspiring media founders, especially those working in challenging environments. His initial reaction when asked for advice for people interested in launching a media outlet is cautionary: "Don't do it. It's not worth your health." However, he follows this with a more nuanced perspective.

◼ Blagojevic shares a metaphor he once used at a conference in Sarajevo. He asked organisers to turn off all the lights in a large hall, leaving only the tiny LED on his phone visible. "Even though it's a tiny LED, when it's completely dark, even this tiny light is visible from all around the room," he explains. This, he argues, is the role of independent media in oppressive environments: "In the times of complete darkness in a country, even the smallest tiny light can be seen from anywhere."

📍 Learn more about Blagojevic’s path from running an outlet in Serbia to advising at IREX in the full article.

The Fix Media

19 Mar 2025 14:47

Three years into the war, Russian media faces three key challenges: financial sustainability, self-censorship, and news fatigue, Veronica Snoj writes in her latest article for The Fix.

The Fix Media

17 Mar 2025 12:41

📰 Last Friday, Donald Trump signed an executive order targeting the US Agency for Global Media, which oversees critical outlets like Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. These broadcasters have long been lifelines for verified information in press-restricted regions, from Soviet times to today.

While it’s unclear if they’ll be shut down or just weakened, this move is a win for propaganda machines like Russia’s and autocrats worldwide.

This follows the halt of US funding for independent media, impacting outlets across Central and Eastern Europe. The Fix has catalogued the impact of USAID funding cease across the CEE region. Most recently, last week Veronika Snoj wrote about what the aid freeze means for Russian independent media in exile.

📍 Read our newsletter in full for industry news, story recommendations, and fresh opportunities.

📍 Sign up to get the latest media-related news in your mailbox every Monday!

The Fix Media

14 Mar 2025 11:04

Journalism today must go beyond serving audiences – it must build communities, Mark Lee Hunter, an author, scholar, and investigative journalist, writes in his guest column.

◾️ Serving “everyone” isn’t just unrealistic; it’s ineffective. Instead, focusing on shared values and interests creates stronger, more engaged communities that support and sustain independent media. Here are some more thoughts on this:

◾️ A community, at its core, is formed through shared practices or interests. It’s a space – emotional or physical – where people rally around common causes, values, or actions. Successful media organisations can become a central pillar for these communities, protecting their values and amplifying their voices.

◾️ Examples abound: Reddit fosters diverse communities of interest, while Greenpeace has masterfully combined activism with media to engage millions globally. Stakeholder-driven journalism, like the work of OCCRP or collaborative networks, highlights the power of coalitions between journalists and civil society.

◾️ The truth is that traditional media often fails without these collaborations. Studies and real-world examples—from the fall of Apartheid to environmental investigations—show that impactful journalism relies on alliances with communities and other actors who care deeply about the issues at hand.

◾️ We are also in a fierce battle against misinformation. Journalists fight as individuals, while adversaries—backed by oligarchs using bots—operate in organised armies. Platforms that flood the space with noise threaten to drown out truth. To combat this, trust is critical.

◾️ But trust today isn’t built on professional titles alone; it stems from community engagement. Communities trust those who share their risks, speak their language, and actively contribute to their wellbeing. This connection is journalism’s most valuable asset.

◾️ Yes, this approach will invite criticism: “preaching to the choir” or “living in a silo.” But engaging deeply with communities isn’t isolation – it’s integration. It’s about understanding what matters to them and delivering actionable, trustworthy information that empowers.

◾️ Successful media adapt to these expectations. Whether it’s finding your niche or aligning with your audience, the goal remains the same: building trust and delivering value. Communities want transparency – they expect you to show your beliefs, your mission, and how you plan to achieve it.

◾️ Ultimately, stakeholder-driven journalism presents a sustainable model for the future. As trust in traditional media declines, those willing to engage authentically with their communities are poised not only to survive but to thrive.

Read the full article for more thoughts on this.

The Fix Media

11 Mar 2025 10:57

Uncover the latest in media with The Fix: From Amphora Media's bold investigative journalism in Malta to crucial lessons on reporting sexual violence from the Pelicot trial in France.

📰 Also in this week's newsletter: updates on Politico's AI tool, NYT's European dominance, and Trump's VOA takeover.

📍 Read our newsletter in full for industry news, story recommendations, and fresh opportunities.

📍 Sign up to get the latest media-related news in your mailbox every Monday!

The Fix Media

07 Mar 2025 10:34

Europe’s most recent investigative outlet is relying on grants and membership to carry the mantle of Malta’s legendary muckraker. We spoke with Julian Bonnici, editor of the newly launched Amphora Media, and Matthew Caruana Galizia, head of the foundation behind the outlet.

The Fix Media

04 Mar 2025 11:59

Denník N’s record-breaking subscription campaign surpassed its 10,000 goal in 4 days, hitting over 24,000 subscribers! A mix of flexible pricing (even 0€ 10-week trials) and a bold pitch to “help democracy” drove this success. Their “10 promises to Slovakia” included free archive access, expanding video teams, and free subscriptions for young voters. Have a look at our interview with Denník N’s CDO Tomas Bella for details.

📰 Also in this week's newsletter: Updates on Georgia’s press freedom crisis, Balkan media under pressure, USAID funding shifts, and industry news & opportunities.

📍 Read our newsletter in full for industry news, story recommendations, and fresh opportunities.

📍 Sign up to get the latest media-related news in your mailbox every Monday!

The Fix Media

28 Feb 2025 11:04

Since the advent of AI, major outlets have integrated it into their newsroom workflow. From Sports Illustrated's AI-generated fitness news to Yle's AI translations of Finnish news into Ukrainian, AI has entered newsrooms, yet many journalists don't fully understand its capabilities.

◾ A study of various professionals in Denmark found journalists were the second highest adopters of AI, with 64% using it in some capacity, despite the “black box problem” where many lack skills to discern how AI tools work.

◾ The Fix has compiled three key findings that offer valuable insights from the latest research, along with practical ways news outlets are putting these strategies into action.

◾ Research from the Fontys Academy of Journalism reveals journalists in regional Dutch newsrooms are uncertain about their ability to deal with AI, hindering their use of available resources. AI illiteracy also hampers journalists' ability to communicate needs to IT professionals.

◾ Researchers from the University of Zurich found that while most audiences resist paying for AI-generated news, younger and less educated individuals view AI more positively and are willing to consume and pay for AI-generated content.

◾ This is evident in The Economist’s Espresso app which is designed for younger readers. Last month, they launched an in-app translation feature powered by AI to reach a wider audience speaking Mandarin, Spanish, French and German.

◾ Interestingly, some studies from FHWien der WKW, Austria found that AI usage in news is sometimes seen as more trustworthy than human-made news, with participants reasoning that while journalists may carry bias, AI remains impartial.

◾ This is evident in practical applications: Argentinian local news outlet Diario Huarpe uses automation to produce multiple sports stories despite having only one weekend reporter, while ESPN employs AI analytics to enhance viewing experiences with real-time analyses.

◾ Research from Germany's University of Mainz shows that acceptance of news recommender systems for diverse viewpoints is higher only amongst those who already consume diverse news, suggesting publishers should focus on content personalisation.

◾ Norway's Adresseavisen successfully used AI to personalise their homepage, finding the best results when suggesting next reads at the bottom of articles. The Times' AI tool JAMES helped reduce subscriber churn by 50% through newsletter personalisation.

◾ A common thread in this research emphasises that complete automation isn't currently possible – human oversight remains essential. A human in the loop should be the norm to eliminate major problems. AI is for people, not a way to get on without them.

📍 Find more insights in the full article.

The Fix Media

26 Feb 2025 15:37

Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli’s arrest and 38-day hunger strike have become a pivotal moment for protests and press freedom in the country, Irina Matchavariani writes for The Fix. As she fights back amid global calls for her release, one question looms: Can free press survive in Georgia?

The Fix Media

24 Feb 2025 11:35

February 24 changed everything for Ukraine and Ukrainian media. Three years later, these are our reflections on three years of war coverage from Ukraine.

The Fix Media

20 Feb 2025 15:58

How do you deliver news when journalists are being arrested? Venezuelan media found an ingenious solution: AI presenters who can't be intimidated, Romain Chauvet writes in his latest article for The Fix.

The Fix Media

17 Feb 2025 12:35

How are Europe’s leading newsrooms adapting to TikTok in 2025? While many publishers initially approached the platform tentatively, we’re now seeing a fascinating evolution in how serious news organizations engage with what was once dismissed as just a music app.

The Fix’s latest analysis of the top 30 European news publishers on TikTok shows interesting insights about the platform’s maturation.

One finding – the ratio between hard news and entertainment news outlets is almost 50:50. “While we in newsrooms have long recognised TikTok’s potential beyond dances and entertainment, 2025 will emphasize this further. Growth will be significantly driven by coverage of climate change, politics, and global news – areas where audiences are looking for credible information,” Deutsche Welle’s Erika Marzano comments.

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The Fix Media

13 Feb 2025 15:15

Our annual ranking of leading European news publishers on TikTok is out. Let’s look through 2025 leaders and analyse what works for newsrooms on TikTok this year.

The Fix Media

11 Feb 2025 17:08

Despite chaos brought by the Trump administration, the market is also rewarding (mostly American) traditional news publishers doing great work in covering the new administration. Wired and The Atlantic have both been praised for their recent reporting. Besides, hyper niche outlets focused on federal bureaucracy are seeing their fifteen minutes of fame.

📍 Read our newsletter in full for industry news, story recommendations, and fresh opportunities.

📍 Sign up to get the latest media-related news in your mailbox every Monday!

The Fix Media

07 Feb 2025 16:05

Facing Hungary’s media crackdown and frozen U.S. aid, the Roma Press Center—the sole news agency amplifying Roma voices since 1995—is turning to YouTube to survive. With their channel RomaPlay reaching 12 million views in just four months, they continue battling stereotypes. Romain Chauvet spoke to editor-in-chief Ernő Kadét.

The Fix Media

04 Feb 2025 17:07

We spoke to three independent media outlets in Ukraine, Moldova, and North Macedonia to see the impacts of the end of USAID programs and how they are trying to fill the gap.