Independent media worldwide face significant obstacles that impede their ability to operate freely and sustainably. From conflict-ridden regions with fragile economies to countries marked by increasing authoritarianism and polarisation, media resilience and viability are constantly under threat. This is jeopardising their crucial role as society’s watchdog.
In the theme Media resilience and viability we work towards viable, independent, and resilient media organisations who effectively serve the public interest, maintain journalistic independence, and adapt to changing environments. Here we identify a number of major challenges.
Competition from tech giants and social media platforms are a major challenge to media's viability, leading to declining public discourse and trust in journalism, increasing news avoidance and hindering growth opportunities. Additionally, the wide spread of misinformation and disinformation, coupled with the arrival of artificial intelligence, further complicates the media landscape. Limited knowledge of and access to innovative tools and practices on top of ineffective business models, make it more difficult for media organisations' to adapt to changing environments.
Another threat to media viability is media capture: when powerful public or private groups take premeditated actions to control media institutions. Media capture happens when governments pressure the media by tightening regulations, give more public money to those loyal to them, or when oligarchic companies can purchase and control private media outlets. When large amounts of media organisations are owned by one single company, they are called conglomerates. Big advertisers prefer to go to these conglomerates, because it will give them a higher outreach, leaving smaller independent media disadvantaged. Especially around elections, this is a means for repressive authorities to take control.
Financial sustainability is a persistent challenge for independent media in exile. Donor funding is the primary source of income for the majority of exiled media. However, funders often prefer to invest in specific outcomes rather than provide general, core operational support. This poses a significant risk to the survival of media in exile, many of which have seen their operational costs grow significantly as a result of their (forced) relocation. Generating sufficient market-based revenue to support their operations is extremely difficult. Income generated from advertisements is seriously lacking, as the home countries of media in exile are generally extremely closed, repressive or in active conflict. On top of that, media in exile face significant challenges in consistently creating credible, independent content and remaining relevant while in exile.
Lastly, a lack of supportive legal, political, and digital frameworks for independent journalism, significantly impacts the sustainability and effectiveness of independent media.
To safeguard journalism's independence, resilience, and viability, Free Press Unlimited adopts a multifaceted approach, supporting independent media through capacity strengthening, financial assistance, experimentation, coalition building, research and advocacy. Drawing from decades of experience, we are able to tailor our strategic interventions to the unique contexts of, and in close collaboration with, independent media partners.
Independent media in the Southern Neighbourhood face significant challenges that effect their capacity to serve public interests, push back against th...