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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
Ioana Epure's journey from reporter to Editorial Director at PressOne demonstrates how diverse experience can prepare journalists for leadership roles. "It was a position that became necessary in our outlet. It gave birth to itself," she explains.
◼ PressOne, approaching its tenth anniversary, has established itself as an independent Romanian media outlet focused on "perspectives, not noise," operating through three main platforms: a website for long-form journalism, a popular daily newsletter, and social media channels targeting younger audiences.
◼ The organisation employs a lightweight "astronaut" management structure with three key leaders: the publisher handling grants, Epure as editorial director focusing on commercial and communications, and the editor-in-chief managing editorial content.
◼ PressOne's revenue model shows encouraging evolution, with grant dependency decreasing from 60% to 54% between 2023 and 2024, reflecting a strategic shift toward diversified income streams.
◼ "Living in the UK and doing my master's there was what changed my mindset from, 'Okay, I want to work for somebody' to 'I want to work for myself,'" Epure shares about her entrepreneurial journey.
◼ Her experience as a freelancer proved invaluable: "Being a freelancer in Eastern Europe means that you have to know how to do everything." This versatility equipped her with diverse skills across multiple media formats.
◼ The transition to leadership, while natural, came with emotional challenges: "I felt very sad in a way, because I have been a reporter for many years… It just felt like I was giving up something that was making me me."
◼ Her freelance background provided crucial management preparation: "As a freelancer, you really understand the value of your work... The important thing is what you are delivering, which is what value you are bringing."
◼ To enhance her leadership capabilities, Epure actively sought management training through specialised programs, free classes, and industry conferences and workshops.
◼ Looking ahead, she's committed to media management: "I would like to stay on this path because I understand that there are systemic problems in the way journalism is financed in Europe at the moment... I think that I can have a more valuable contribution in this side than I could ever have as a reporter."
📍 Learn more about Epure’s experience in the full article.
In Switzerland, Spatz is revitalising hyper-local news by using AI. Romain Chauvet spoke with its founder, Hannes Grassegger, to learn how it works.
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How did a spontaneous Instagram page collecting quirky images and videos become one of Italy’s most original niche media? In his latest for The Fix, Alessandro Pilo spoke with the team behind Iconografie.
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European media outlets are navigating the challenges of covering Donald Trump's return to the White House, balancing the constant stream of information with their audiences' needs and maintaining editorial standards.
◼ "Trump was elected democratically, but his policies pose a risk to democracy in the U.S. and beyond," says David Pontes, director of Portuguese newspaper Público, emphasizing their commitment to providing counterpoints and fact-checking.
◼ European newsrooms are selective in their coverage. As Oliver Kern of Neues Deutschland notes, "We pick the topics that are important and could potentially be meaningful for people's lives... but we will not write anything just to show what character he might have."
◼ The unpredictability of Trump's actions requires daily editorial decisions. "We decide what to cover about Trump, balancing every day the impact of his speaking, the priority of different news, and our resources," explains Luca Sofri, founder of Italy's Il Post.
◼ Público has adopted a comprehensive approach, focusing not just on political players but also on businesses, institutions, and individuals affected by Trump's policies, providing real-world context to political decisions.
◼ According to Pontes, Público is maintaining its distance from the "relentless stream of American TV and social media," allowing the outlet to provide more thoughtful, contextualised coverage for its audiences.
◼ Fact-checking remains crucial. "We knew that with Trump 2.0, the truth would suffer," says Pontes, highlighting their use of additional tools like debunking to counter misinformation from the White House.
◼ The "Trump bump" in media engagement has returned, with some outlets seeing significant increases. The Guardian reported a 250% increase in fundraising, with notable spikes following major policy announcements.
◼ European outlets are seeing varied impacts. Público reports increased traffic and reader engagement, with U.S. coverage consistently ranking among their most popular content.
◼ However, not all media outlets are experiencing the same boost. Il Post reports stable audience numbers, suggesting the "Trump effect" isn't universal across European media.
📍 Learn more in the full article.
📰 Last week, we profiled a cross-border reportage podcast series, and covered the success of a local French media group.
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Since launching The Fix in 2019, our goal has been to provide media leaders with practical insights and a European perspective on industry challenges.
We recently launched a new website and introduced a FixBeliever membership for 5 euros a month, supporting our mission and granting access to exclusive insights and media discussions.
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For his latest article for The Fix, Romain Chauvet spoke with French media group actu.fr, which has bet big on local events to boost revenue and attract new advertisers.
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How do journalists from different countries write a story together? Four European reporters – Lili Rutai from Hungary, Elsa Cabria Camus from Spain, and Francesca Berardi and Claudia Torrisi from Italy – explain the mechanics of true cross-border collaboration.
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✌️ Good evening! Here is the recap of the stories we published in June:
▪️“Foreign Agent” law in Bosnia threatens independent media
▪️Our printed newspaper at IJF 2025: What we learned from taking media offline
▪️What we learned from Digital News Report 2025 – three insights that stand out
▪️How one French publisher boosted revenue and traffic by partnering with local influencers
▪️A podcast in 10 languages – the multilingual AI experiment of Louie Media and ELLE
▪️How to monetize your content in small and unfavourable market conditions? Lessons from Hungary
▪️From Telegram’s threat to quality shrinkflation – what defines Ukraine’s media market in 2025
▪️La Voz del Patio – a unique newspaper created inside a prison by Spanish inmates
▪️Could AI chatbots’ explosive growth soon become a source of audience and revenue for publishers?
Since launching The Fix in 2019, we’ve delivered practical insights and a strong European perspective for media leaders.
Today, we’re excited to unveil our revamped website and new membership program! For €5/month or €50/year, members can support us and get access to exclusive insights and conversations.
Support our mission to solve the media management puzzle and join us today!
Distributing La Voz del Patio, a newspaper written by inmates of a Spanish prison, to universities, public and private institutions, and art and cultural centres is a way of changing society’s view of prisoners, a group of the population with little and sometimes negative visibility, Romain Chauvet writes.
📍 Learn more in the full article.
Our latest #LetsFixItTogether feature explores that pivotal career shift from creating stories to creating teams. After interviewing dozens of media managers, here's what we learned about making this leap successfully.
What's your experience with this transition? Is management something you're considering, or have you already made the leap?
📍 Also read the full article to learn more.
Bosnia's new 'foreign agent' law, modeled after Russia's repressive legislation, poses a grave threat to independent journalism in Republika Srpska. The new law places foreign-funded news outlets under heightened scrutiny, with human costs already becoming apparent, Dusica Tomovic writes in the latest article for The Fix.
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Oxford-based Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism just published this year’s Digital News Report, the most comprehensive study of online media. We picked a subjective list of the three most interesting findings – AI chatbots as a source of news, consumers’ interest in AI features, and the (limited) power of mobile alerts.
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The Slovak newspaper Denník N had an extremely successful subscription drive. What started as a goal of 10,000 new subscribers in six weeks turned into 24,300 in just 14 days, showcasing a masterclass in audience engagement.
◼ When Denník N launched its new subscription campaign tied to its 10th anniversary, it aimed for 10,000 new subscribers. “In reality it took us 4 days to get to 10,000,” said Chief Digital Officer Tomas Bella, with over 5,300 opting for a 0€ trial subscription while still providing credit card details.
◼ Founded by 40 journalists in 2014, Denník N is now the largest newsroom in Slovakia with 110 journalists. With this campaign, the outlet—serving a nation of 5.5 million—pushed its subscriber base past 90,000, though some may churn after the trial period.
◼ Denník N committed to fulfilling 10 promises if it hit its target, such as unlocking their archive for free and expanding their video team. “Our 10 promises were a big part of this,” Bella explained, noting months of preparation and subscriber polling to align with audience expectations.
◼ Financially, Denník N recorded a turnover of 7.9 million euros and an operating profit of 1.4 million euros last year. Subscriptions, alongside 130,000 books, e-books, and audiobooks sold, plus advertising, fueled this growth.
◼ “The key was that we did not just offer a discount,” Bella shared. “What we offered to readers was this: Our country and our democracy is in trouble. People are falling for disinformation. Let’s all do what we can to help.” This resonated deeply, framing subscribers as partners in a mission.
◼ Word of mouth drove the campaign’s success, with 5% of existing subscribers using referral links. “A couple of super-fans brought hundreds of new subscribers each,” Bella noted, while journalists and influencers amplified the message—many for free—across social media.
◼ “Facebook has always been important for us,” Bella said, but “Instagram is a tool not only to reach but directly for conversions.” A small €1,100 ad spend on both platforms, paired with tools like ManyChat for personalised messaging, delivered outsized results.
◼ Reflecting on growth, Bella highlighted Denník N’s focus on quality journalism: “In 10 years we have grown to 140 employees including 110 journalists—whenever we could, we simply hired more journalists.” This commitment underpins their ability to scale from a 2014 ceiling of 20,000 subscribers to 90,000 today.
◼ Looking ahead, retention is the focus as trial periods end in April. “Our main job until April is working on retention,” Bella said, emphasizing efforts to showcase their journalism’s depth and the value of supporting independent media for democracy.
📍 Learn more from the full interview.
A recent study released by the Media and Journalism Research Center confirms what many industry observers have long suspected: proximity to Hungary's ruling Fidesz party correlates directly with stronger financial performance for media outlets. Eva Vajda, one of the co-authors of the study, presents its highlights.
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We're excited to support this year's pan-European media hackathon taking place on October 19-22 in Bratislava!
Media Blend: StoryHack 2025 brings together the brightest minds in journalism, design, technology, and innovation to co-create the future of storytelling.
What participants (individually or in teams of 2–4 people) receive:
• Expert mentorship and pitch coaching throughout the 3-day hackathon
• Chance to win one of three €5,000 kick-off grants for winning teams
• Travel support up to €3,000 for 10 selected teams
• Pre-hackathon ideation sessions to refine your concept
• Hands-on simulation game to challenge your skillset
• Free passes to the prestigious IPI World Congress 2025 in Vienna
📍 Learn more and apply by August 31 here.
📰 Last week, we reported on how one Swedish media group launched 46 types of hyperlocal newsletters, and how an American outlet uses AI to deliver local news more effectively.
📍 Check out ways you can support our work with new membership options.
📍 Sign up to get the latest media-related news in your mailbox every Monday!
In her latest article for The Fix, Priyal Shah explores how The Jersey Bee is using an AI model to power a network of 13 local newsletters and deliver over 5,000 local news briefs a year.
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How do you attract local readers? NTM, a group of 16 Swedish local media outlets with about 300 journalists, opted for hyperlocal newsletters that combine smart automation and personal touches, achieving a 70% open rate, Romain Chauvet writes in his latest article for The Fix.
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Google Discover promises to offset much of the AI-driven search traffic decline – for now
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We recently unveiled our completely redesigned website and launched our new membership program for media professionals who value substance over noise.
For just €5/month or €50/year, you'll gain access to exclusive insights and analysis that you won't find anywhere else—content specifically created for decision-makers in the media industry who need practical solutions to today's most pressing challenges.
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Even without a membership, you'll still have access to:
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Our mission remains unchanged: to provide media leaders with the insights, solutions, and data they need to navigate an increasingly complex landscape. The membership program simply allows us to go deeper and offer more value to our most engaged readers.
💸 If you've found value in our work, consider supporting independent, specialised journalism that respects your intelligence and your time.
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📰 Last week, we reported on AI chatbots as a potential source of audience and revenue for publishers.
📍 Check out ways you can support our work with new membership options.
📍 Sign up to get the latest media-related news in your mailbox every Monday!
In his latest article for The Fix, Romain Chauvet looks at whether AI chatbots can actually become a source of audience and revenue for publishers.
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Berlin-based daily taz has pioneered a unique approach to digital news: complete free access with voluntary reader contributions. Their "taz I pay" model has attracted 42,000 committed supporters since 2011, generating €3 million annually—9% of total revenue.
◼ Founded in 1978 and transformed into a cooperative in 1992, taz remains politically independent with 24,000 members who each own a share starting at €500. This structure ensures the paper stays ad-free and democratically controlled, with each member getting one vote regardless of contribution size.
◼ "Free access to information is essential for a democratic society," says CEO Aline Lüllmann, emphasizing taz's commitment to transformative reporting and solidarity-based funding where readers who can afford more help support those who can't.
◼ The average voluntary contribution is €6 monthly, though some give up to €150. Print subscriptions remain the backbone, generating 67% of revenue (€23 million), with flexible pricing options reflecting their solidarity principle.
◼ taz maintains strong reader relationships through regular calls, newsletters, and events. Some subscribers continue paying despite not reading regularly, simply because "they find it important that we exist," notes editor-in-chief Barbara Junge.
◼ The paper faces demographic challenges with print readers averaging 65 years old. Their response includes a cooperative campaign connecting generations, where older members can buy shares for younger readers.
◼ To attract younger audiences, taz has added a "future" section focused on “climate, science, and utopia”, while expanding their social media presence. Recent campaigns have doubled readership among 25-34 year-olds from 10 to 19 percent.
◼ The paper is making bold moves, including ceasing daily print operations in October while maintaining digital subscriptions and a weekly print edition—a transition supported by their voluntary contribution model. This might cost them up to 18 percent of current subscribers as surveys have shown.
◼ "Even though we can be a tough read, it is still a love brand," says Lüllmann, suggesting strong reader emotional connection is crucial for this model's success, regardless of political orientation.
◼ While The Guardian has adopted a similar strategy since 2016, taz remains unique in how deeply readers are embedded in its funding model—not just as contributors but as cooperative members shaping its future.
📍 Learn more in the full article.
📰 Last week, we reported on what we learned from Digital News Report 2025, how the "foreign agent” law in Bosnia threatens independent media, and how our printed newspaper fared at the International Journalism Festival 2025.
📍 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 historic trial of Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men in France has become a landmark case in media coverage of sexual violence. The case, which concluded in December 2024, saw Pelicot sentenced to 20 years for drugging and facilitating the rape of his wife, Gisèle Pelicot.
◼ Gisèle Pelicot's decision to waive anonymity and keep her trial public has made her a symbol of the fight against sexual violence, earning her recognition as one of Time magazine's women of the year 2025.
◼ The case marked a significant shift in media treatment of sexual violence. As journalist Cécile Hautefeuille notes, "We heard a lot more about rape culture and stopped presenting rape as something committed by monsters, showing that ordinary men could be the perpetrators."
◼ Media coverage showed improvement in several areas: journalists didn't question the victim's testimony, maintained distance from defense statements, and avoided inappropriate humor - all significant steps forward in responsible reporting.
◼ However, experts identified areas for improvement, particularly in providing context for defendants' statements and avoiding the creation of "perfect victim" narratives, which can harm those who don't fit this idealised mold.
◼ The coverage also demonstrated evolution in language use, with terms like "male violence," "rape culture," and "sexist violence" being used without quotation marks, indicating their acceptance as legitimate concepts.
◼ The choice of headlines has also evolved significantly. As Hautefeuille notes, "We no longer talk about crimes of passion or make jokes with headlines... Before, you could see this kind of thing a lot. Now we don't read that anymore."
◼ More newsrooms are now training journalists specifically in covering sexual violence, with some reporters specializing in this beat - a change that has accelerated since the MeToo movement.
◼ Training programs like La Fronde provide journalists with scientific and statistical knowledge about sexual violence, helping them understand the dynamics of domestic violence and femicides.
◼ The case has also highlighted the importance of protecting journalists covering such stories from vicarious trauma, with experts recommending rotation of assignments and specific training in trauma-informed interviewing techniques.
📍 Learn more about this delicate topic and the coverage nuances in the full article.
📰 When digital innovation means going back to print
At this year's International Journalism Festival, we distributed over 500 newspapers without an official presence. Our case study reveals why thoughtful print resonates powerfully in our screen-saturated world.
The key? Quality content, beautiful design, and strategic placement where people naturally gather.
Read the full case study.
📰 Last week, we reported on a multilingual AI experiment of Louie Media and ELLE to create a podcast in 10 languages, and how one French publisher boosted revenue and traffic by partnering with local influencers.
📍 Read our newsletter in full for industry news, story recommendations, and fresh opportunities.
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French publisher Nice-Matin grew revenue 10% by building its own local influencer agency. Romain Chauvet spoke with Mathilde Aylies, head of digital revenue development at the Nice-Matin group.
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