Impact

Innovating new revenue streams for local journalism in Europe

Piloting new revenue streams is a key component of long-term sustainability. While starting a hyperlocal outlet is relatively easy due to openly available publishing tools, maintaining a viable business is the hard part. A local content strategy is insufficient to make the media business sustainable as it needs to be accompanied by entrepreneurial thinking. The Local Media for Democracy programme (LM4D) assisted more than 13 media in piloting new or increasing existing revenue streams through a grant programme and capacity building.

Fertilising news deserts in Europe

Forty-two small media initiatives from across the EU are taking part in a capacity-building programme, aiming to counter “news deserts” around Europe – areas or communities where local outlets, for different reasons, are no longer capable of providing citizens with the information necessary to make informed decisions about issues that affect their communities and quality of life.

A catastrophe on top of a catastrophe: how independent Syrian media responded to the 2023 earthquake

Syrian independent media and journalists fought for their audiences right to receive credible information during and after the devastating earthquakes in February 2023. They are still working to push for accountability in a politically volatile and fragmented Syria, where victims of the earthquakes have received little help.

Fighting repressive laws

By working with allies who challenge restrictive media legislation with tenacity, patience and creativity, IMS helps fight illiberal laws and policies in even the most challenging contexts.

Collaborative report sheds new light on Beirut port explosion

The Febrayer network of independent Arab media organisations sheds new light on the explosion at the Port of Beirut in 2020.

Watching the watchmen

Self-regulation is often the most effective way to hold the media to account and improve journalistic standards.

Climate and environmental journalism

Media can play an important role in shaping the discourse around climate change. IMS’ partners are rising to the occasion.

Food, shelter, blankets – and information: Why good journalism is crucial in times of crisis

When disaster or crisis hit, access to reliable information can be a matter of life and death. And when the urgency is over, good journalism is needed to keep people in power to account

“Radio Ergo helped to raise our voices”