International and multilateral

Advertising has been the primary source of income for media organizations, but is no longer a viable business model for many news organizations. Over the past decade, advertisers have shifted much of their spending to online marketing and away from news platforms. The COVID-19 Pandemic accelerated this trend, triggering an acute economic crisis for many independent media organizations.

While there is broad consensus that fact-based, independent journalism is critical to informed publics, functioning democracies, and development progress, significant international support has not yet been made available: Only 0.3% of overseas development assistance (ODA) — around USD $430 million — goes to supporting media globally. The COVID-19 Pandemic accelerated this trend, triggering an acute economic crisis for many independent media organizations.

Evolving business models

While there is broad consensus that fact-based, independent journalism is critical to informed publics, functioning democracies, and development progress, significant international support has not yet been made available: Only 0.3% of overseas deunctioning democracies, and development progress, significant international support has not yet been made availvelopment assistance (ODA) — around USD $430 million — goes to supporting media globally.

"In Indonesia, journalism has evolved from a tool of propaganda to a platform of accountability. Its transformation parallels the nation’s struggle for democracy."

Conclusion

Democracy is under threat globally, with autocratic governments on the rise in many contexts. Just 13% of the world’s population enjoys access to free media. Autocratic regimes and interests pour billions of dollars into large-scale disinformation efforts, influencing existing media, buying up media organizations or establishing their own media channels.

In some settings journalists and media organizations are also targets of censure or repression by authoritarian governments.

  • Type 1: The Pandemic While there is broad consensus that fact-based, independent journalism is critical to informed publics, functioning democracies, and development progress, significant international support has not yet been made available
  • Type 2: Market Crash While there is broad consensus that fact-based, independent journalism is critical to informed publics, functioning democracies, and development progress, significant international support has not yet been made available
  • Type 3: Undemocratic Regimes While there is broad consensus that fact-based, independent journalism is critical to informed publics, functioning democracies, and development progress, significant international support has not yet been made available