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Cracking the media management puzzle through insights, solutions and data. ▪️Website — http://thefix.media ▪️Newsletter— http://bit.ly/2Tsr0M9 Reach out: @thefixmediabot
In his latest article for The Fix, Romain Chauvet takes a look at a unique journalistic product: La Voz del Patio, a 24-page newspaper written entirely by prisoners in Spain.
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✌️ Good evening! Here is the recap of the stories we published in May:
▪️FOIAbot: building an AI assistant for public records requests
▪️Russian journalists in exile are secretly training the next generation of journalists
▪️Karakaya Talks – redefining news reporting for Germany's social media generation
▪️10 media leaders you should follow on Linkedin now
▪️“Working in these conditions is increasingly difficult” – press freedom in Serbia has reached a critical point
▪️How publishers should approach creating and running a successful media internship program
▪️Spain-Portugal blackouts: how radio stations have been more essential than ever
▪️Bombs, budgets and broadcasters: three reflections from the LMF conference in Ukraine
▪️Hungary’s free press caught in a catch-22 over foreign funding
▪️How using AI translation tools for minority languages can boost subscriptions
▪️A paywall and a mobile app: the Times of Malta bet
▪️Should European publishers use Substack for their newsletters?
Internazionale, an Italian weekly magazine launched in 1993, has defied the odds in the declining Italian print media landscape. Inspired by France's Courrier International, it began by translating the best of the global press into Italian. Initially, this concept might have seemed counterintuitive amidst Italy's own significant events, like mafia massacres and political scandals, but it found its niche by offering unique international perspectives on local issues.
◼ The magazine's turning point came in 2001, during the G8 summit in Genoa, when it published foreign perspectives on police brutality. This move distinguished Internazionale from other Italian media, as it provided insights not commonly found in local outlets. The magazine's approach resonated with readers, especially during global events like 9/11, and helped solidify its position in the media landscape, catering to an audience eager for international viewpoints.
◼ Despite the rise of the internet, which could have rendered Internazionale obsolete, the magazine has thrived by being more than just a news digest. Its appeal lies in its curated content for the curious and open-minded, offering unexpected topics and innovative formats. According to Giovanni De Mauro, Internazionale's director, the magazine's success is due to its trusted curatorial expertise and content selection, which keeps it relevant in the digital age.
◼ Internazionale's readership is primarily from major Italian cities, particularly in the affluent North, and consists of individuals with higher education levels willing to pay for quality journalism. This demographic overlap with other successful outlets like Il Post highlights the demand for well-curated content in Italy. The magazine's commitment to innovation is evident in its introduction of comic journalism, inspired by Joe Sacco, and its regular features of graphic novels and independent comic strips.
◼ The magazine's distinct identity is also reflected in its meticulous design, thanks to collaborations with acclaimed editorial designers. Yet, a crucial aspect of its production is the attention to language. With translations making up most of its content, Internazionale employs a team of copy editors to ensure fidelity to original texts while maintaining fluency in Italian, avoiding a disjointed collage effect.
◼ Internazionale has expanded its brand with several side projects, such as Internazionale Kids and thematic book issues on historical events. Its annual festival, Internazionale a Ferrara, draws global journalists, writers, and filmmakers, attracting nearly 80,000 attendees. These initiatives have reinforced the magazine's community of engaged readers and expanded its influence beyond traditional print media.
◼ The magazine isn't afraid to experiment and accept failure as part of innovation. For instance, L’Essenziale, a print spinoff, faced challenges during the pandemic and was moved online due to rising paper costs. This shift allowed Internazionale to focus on launching successful podcasts, increasing digital subscriptions, and engaging younger audiences.
◼ Currently, the magazine is experimenting with its website's dynamic paywall to incentivize frequent visits. This approach reflects Internazionale's "launch and learn" mindset, as it continues to adapt to the changing digital landscape. The magazine generates annual revenue of 9 million euros, with 85% coming from sales and subscriptions, highlighting its strong financial foundation.
◼ Internazionale employs around 50 people and collaborates with foreign press readers to curate content. While the editorial team has low turnover, suggesting job satisfaction, it poses challenges in bringing fresh perspectives.
📍 Read the full article for more insights.
Malta's oldest newspaper has just launched its first paywall. In the EU's smallest country, Times of Malta is betting readers will pay for news that's always been free. The Fix spoke to executive director Alex Galea.
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We spoke with Lars Damgaard Nielsen, CEO and co-founder of MediaCatch, about how AI can help speed news reporting in minority languages based on the successful case of Greenland’s largest publisher Sermitsiaq.
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Hungary’s free press faces a double bind: US funding cuts coincide with a new law targeting outlets that accept foreign grants. Alessandro Pilo’s latest analysis explores the growing crisis.
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📰 Last week, we reported on how publishers should approach creating and running a successful media internship program, and how press freedom in Serbia has reached a critical point.
📍 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!
New: in her article for The Fix, Éva Vajda, the internship coordinator of Thomson Foundation, outlines eight practical steps for running successful media internships, from proper compensation to mentorship programs.
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📰 Last week, we listed 10 media leaders you should follow on Linkedin now, and profiled Karakaya Talks, which hopes to continue to give voice to Germany's largely voiceless communities, despite unpredictable algorithms.
📍 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!
Meta's decision to end its third-party fact-checking program in the US has triggered serious concerns about the future of disinformation control in the Balkans, a region particularly vulnerable to online manipulation and foreign influences.
◼ While the January 7 announcement specifically addressed the US market, the implications for global fact-checking operations, particularly in the Balkans where Meta's program has operated since 2019, remain unclear. For many local fact-checking organisations earning upwards of €200,000 annually through Meta contracts, this uncertainty poses significant operational risks.
◼ The shift towards an X-style "community notes" system, as announced by Mark Zuckerberg, marks a dramatic pivot in Meta's approach to content verification. This change comes at a crucial time when the Balkans face increasing challenges from coordinated disinformation campaigns.
◼ Recent studies show alarming trends: over 60% of analysed content contains anti-Western messages, with pro-Kremlin sentiment accounting for 24% across various media channels. The Balkan Free Media Initiative (BFMI), a Brussels-based independent media watchdog, warns that without robust fact-checking, these harmful narratives could spread unchecked.
◼ Media expert Vesna Rajkovic Nenadic raises particular concerns about the proposed community notes system: "Giving such a tool to users—some of whom lack sufficient knowledge while others are on these platforms precisely to spread such content—can be dangerous."
◼ In response, leading fact-checking organisations across the Balkans—including Raskrinkavanje, Metamorphosis, Istinomer, and others—have signed an open letter to Zuckerberg, warning of potential setbacks to online accuracy and broader societal implications.
◼ The region's unique challenges make this particularly concerning. With only 2% of Montenegro's citizens aware of fact-checking platforms like Raskrinkavanje, the infrastructure for combating misinformation remains fragile.
◼ Current regional efforts against disinformation rely heavily on media organisations and short-term projects. The situation is further complicated by limited media literacy education and insufficient long-term strategic planning.
◼ “Without fact-checking, platforms risk becoming megaphones for divisive and harmful content, threatening peace, democracy, and media freedom in the Balkans,” says BFMI.
📍 Learn more in the full article.
📰 Last week, we covered how a leading media company in Montenegro launched a social impact app that harnesses community journalism to address social inequalities, Alberto Puliafito presented a case study for using AI to simplify the most tedious parts of journalism, and we reported on how some journalists in exile train, discreetly and at a distance, the next generation in Russia.
📍 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!
Some journalists in exile train, discreetly and at a distance, the next generation in Russia. For his latest article for The Fix, Romain Chauvet spoke with one of them, Olga Proskurnina, formerly of Russian media outlet Republic.
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In his latest piece for The Fix, Alberto Puliafito shares how he built FOIAbot, an AI tool to simplify some of the most tedious parts of journalism.
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📰 Last week, we reflected on how Denník N’s stellar anniversary campaign attracted 24,000 subscribers with impressive retention rate, and why Italy’s journalists’ association might not be doing enough to regulate AIs.
📍 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!
Ever wondered how your decisions can shape the future of the media organisation?
In this infographic, we break down the tough choices media professionals face—like what to do with a print designer after discontinuing a publication. From retraining to redundancy packages, each option impacts cash, reputation, and reach in our simulation game.
📍Dive deeper into how our game sharpens decision-making skills for media professionals in the full article.
What would you choose—retrain, fire, or negotiate? Feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments.
📰 Last week, we reported on European publishers' attitude to Substack for newsletters, and how Times of Malta recently set up a paywall and launched a mobile app to generate revenue and reach a younger audience.
📍 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!
Some US publishers are moving newsletters to Substack for audience growth. Should European publishers do the same? Romain Chauvet breaks it down in his latest article for The Fix.
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What has changed most in the media field since last year? We asked the participants and speakers from around the globe at the Lviv Media Forum, one of the largest media conferences in the CEE region. Here is what they said.
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📰 Last week, we reported on how radio stations have been more essential than ever amid blackouts, how using AI translation tools for minority languages can boost subscriptions, and the problem of Hungary’s free press caught in a catch-22 over foreign funding.
📍 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!
Vijesti, a leading media outlet in Montenegro, launched an app that primarily offers surveys and opinion polls on the most relevant topics in society, ranging from political crises to security issues and the rising cost of living.
We spoke with the company's CEO, Marijana Kadic Bojanic, about their experience.
“Radio stations demonstrated their essential role in times of crisis by being the most resilient and user-friendly”, TSF Rádio Notícias' Nuno Domingues says. We spoke with him about how radio fared during the Iberian Peninsula blackout.
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As news fatigue reaches concerning levels in Spain, with interest plummeting from 85% to 52% over the past decade, solutions journalism in local media emerges as a promising antidote to reconnect with disengaged audiences.
◼ The 2024 Reuters Digital News Report reveals a troubling trend: 39% of people now actively avoid news, with Spain experiencing one of the largest declines in news interest globally. This shift poses significant challenges for media organisations seeking to maintain relevance and engagement.
◼ The Instituto de Periodismo Constructivo, led by Alfredo Casares, has trained over 300 journalists since 2021 in solutions-focused reporting. "In this environment of polarisation, lack of confidence, and disinformation, local media is like a refuge," explains Casares.
◼ The approach aligns perfectly with the three most critical user needs identified by Reuters: staying updated, learning more, and gaining varied perspectives. Local media's unique position of trust and community connection makes them ideal vehicles for this transformative approach.
◼ Grupo Joly, operating 10 media outlets in Spain’s Andalusía community, exemplifies this shift. Digital transformation advisor Magdalena Trillo shares how solutions journalism training offered "a breath of fresh air" and helped "balance information by directing the journalist's gaze towards the future and solutions."
◼ Success stories are emerging: Noticias de Gipuzkoa has had two solutions-focused articles selected by the Solutions Journalism Network, demonstrating the potential impact of this approach. However, challenges remain, particularly in balancing thorough, solutions-oriented reporting with the demands of today's fast-paced news cycle.
◼ The initiative goes beyond just reporting - some outlets are creating physical spaces for community engagement, like newsroom coffee shops where readers can interact with journalists and participate in editorial meetings. This transparency builds trust and accountability.
◼ In Spain's current media landscape, where distrust (40%) outweighs trust (33%), solutions journalism through local media offers a path to rebuild audience connections and combat news deserts. As Trillo poignantly asks, "We can all have access to the BBC or The New York Times, but who's going to tell us what really matters most to us?"
📍 Learn more in the full article.
Karakaya Talks, an acclaimed German outlet for youths, aims to analyse market segments and develop content that resonates with them, ensuring it aligns with what they enjoy watching or reading. The outlet's approach involves creating content tailored for a specific target group, says founder Esra Karakaya.
📍 Learn more about their approach in the full interview.
Serbia's press freedom situation reaches critical point as journalists face over 58 attacks since November, double last year's rate. New forms of harassment include arrests for “moral panic” and illegal spyware use, Romain Chauvet writes in his latest article for The Fix.
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Want to make sure your LinkedIn feed doesn’t get taken over by AI-generated slop? Check out our list of 10 media leaders and thinkers you should follow.
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We spoke with Esra Karakaya, founder of a social media native outlet for young people of colour in Germany. How does she navigate creating political content for platforms that deprioritise politics?
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Africa welcomes its first AI-dedicated media outlet, Afrikia, marking a new step in technology journalism on the continent. "It is truly a joy for us to be pioneers," says Yao Bernard Adzorgenu, editor-in-chief, who aims to challenge the notion that AI has no place in Africa.
◾ Operating in French, this platform bridges the gap between global AI developments and African realities, offering daily content including articles, profiles, and interviews. The choice of French enables them to reach a broad audience across francophone African countries where tech coverage needs enhancement.
◾ Afrikia's mission extends beyond mere reporting – they're hoping to demonstrate how AI can address Africa's core challenges in healthcare, agriculture, education, and technology access. Their vision is to create a continental dialogue space for AI-related discussions and innovations.
◾ Based in Togo with a seven-member core team, Afrikia is supported by the Media and Digital Institute - MDI. Their expansion strategy involves building a network of correspondents across Africa, currently spanning Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, and Senegal.
◾ The young outlet's diverse coverage ranges from Kenya's AI agricultural revolution to Togo's International Forum on personal data protection, showcasing technology's impact across the continent.
◾ However, Afrikia faces challenges in attracting partners and dealing with infrastructure limitations. "The technologies here are not advanced, which means that significant investments in digital infrastructure are scarce," acknowledges Bernard Yao.
◾ In response to evolving social media dynamics, Afrikia has adopted a hybrid distribution strategy, maintaining presence on major platforms such as X and Meta while developing independent channels like newsletters to reduce platform dependency.
◾ The outlet operates against a backdrop of broader African media challenges, including economic precarity and political control, as highlighted by Mamadou Ndiaye, a researcher at the Dakar-based Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar (UCAD). These conditions often create fertile ground for misinformation, particularly in the AI era.
◾ Recognising these challenges, Afrikia has positioned itself as an educational force, committed to raising awareness about both AI's potential and its risks.
◾ The new media outlet now hopes to gain visibility and soon launch a quarterly magazine.
📍 Learn more about Afrikia in the full article.
Running a cutting-edge media simulation game isn’t without its hurdles, but we're cracking the code! Here’s how we’re solving two significant challenges to make learning smarter and smoother:
🔧 Challenge 1: High Costs for Media Participation
Role-player involvement? Time-consuming and pricey. 💸
✅ Solutions in Play:
• Donor support for grant-receiving partners.
• Integration into media school programmes for wider access.
• AI-driven role-play to slash costs without losing depth.
🔄 Challenge 2: Simplifying the Player Experience
Manual code copy-paste? Too clunky. 🛑
✅ Solutions in Play:
• Auto-sync magic! The game now updates every 5 seconds, no manual input needed.
• Streamlined design to cut confusion and keep focus on strategy.
🌟 Why It Matters: These upgrades mean lower costs, smoother gameplay, and training that’s both accessible and impactful for media professionals.
📍 Ready to see how innovation is reshaping media leadership training? Dive into the full article here!
In the latest article for The Fix, Dusica Tomovic looks at Montenegro’s Vijesti Megaphon app that connects citizens with newsrooms, allowing locals to report community issues in a country of 600k people.
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“In a country known for its regulatory enthusiasm — at least on paper — the gap between codified norms and practical enforcement is often as wide as the Tiber”. In a new piece for The Fix, Alberto Puliafito explores why the new regulation by Italy’s journalism association is an encouraging start, but far from enough.
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