APRIL 18, 2023
SembraMedia, in partnership with the European Journalism Centre (EJC), Google News Initiative (GNI), International Media Support (IMS), Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC), and Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD), announces the launch of Project Oasis, a research project on the sustainability, innovation, and impact of independent digital native media in more than 40 countries in Europe.
The new European digital media directory and a report compiling the findings of this year-long research are now available. To carry out the project, 34 researchers mapped and studied media from more than 40 countries and produced a directory featuring 540 media profiles. The organisations in this study range in size, from small initiatives with volunteer-led teams, to large, multi-platform new ventures with more than €10 million in annual revenue. In addition to the directory, the team produced a report featuring trends and insights into the sustainability, types of coverage, team formation, innovation, and press freedom across Europe. The executive summary of this report, as well as the country summaries, will be translated into more than 30 languages at the end of May.
Among the insights in the report:
More than 85% said society and human rights issues are key areas of their coverage, including topics related to migration, refugees, gender and feminism.
When we examined the gender balance of the total number of media founders included in our Project Oasis media directory, we discovered that 58% were women.
Media organisations with at least 1 employee in sales or business development reported an average annual revenue of €598,539. Media organisations with no one dedicated to sales or business development reported an average annual revenue of €95,629.
Among for-profit media organisations, the primary revenue sources were: advertising, website subscriptions, and grants (in that order.) Non-profit media organisations reported their primary sources of revenue were grants, individual donations, and membership (in that order).
“We have been inspired by the innovation, determination, and award-winning news coverage that is being done by digital native media throughout Europe. As we’ve learned from similar research projects in other parts of the world, shining a light on the kinds of media featured in our new Project Oasis directory can help their leaders learn from each other, and gain greater visibility and recognition from organizations that can provide the vital support they need and deserve,” said Janine Warner, co-founder and executive director of SembraMedia.
Access the report and directory at www.projectoasiseurope.com
For more information or questions, please contact Clara Nafría, Project Oasis Europe communications strategist: ProjectOasis@SembraMedia.org.
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