How to build a journalism fund

The existential crisis confronting independent media globally continues to worsen. Traditional business models continue to unravel and new ones can’t fill the gap. International aid and philanthropic funding supporting public interest journalism is sharply decreasing at a time when it’s never been as needed – from recent policy decisions in the US to major philanthropies reducing or ending media support, and large tech platforms such as Meta and Google drastically scaling back their journalism funding programmes.
Amid a wider movement to Shift The Power in funding from Global North to South, this crisis has accelerated interest in Journalism Funds - independent, locally governed funds with diverse revenue sources, including both Global North and local donors, tech platforms, philanthropies, impact investors and other contributors.
These funds recognise that markets alone cannot sustain public interest journalism and that competing for short-term funding from an ever-dwindling pool of international donors is labour-intensive, inefficient and demoralising. Instead, societies need their own anchor institutions to support, catalyse and grow their independent media ecosystems and guarantee access to quality independent information as a public good.
Journalism Funds are not just a concept any more. In the past two years, new journalism funds have been set up and started operating in Brazil, Sierra Leone, and South Africa. Similar initiatives are being designed in Armenia, the Philippines, Colombia, and the Middle East. Even Global North countries, such as the US, German-speaking countries, and France, have their own versions. And they are even appearing at the city or local level.
Hear from our panellists - experts in designing and launching these funds – on how to build journalism funds, including their structures, funding models, and how to safeguard independence. If you’re interested in starting one in your city, country or region, this is the conversation to join.
(And in case you can’t make it to the panel, we’re also hosting an informal meet-up as part of the side events programme, 13.30-15.00 on Saturday 12 April.)