“Access to information is a right” or “The press comes at a cost”? We promise, we won’t rehash the debates from the Facebook comments sections under subscription-based media articles. But if you think about it, we can also stop pitting these two refrains against each other.
Giving a voice to those who aren’t heard loud enough is part of Revue Z’s DNA. Every year, this traveling investigative “turtle-newspaper” sets up shop in a new territory, engaging with its residents and their struggles. For its latest issue, the magazine went to listen to the students’ protests in Grenoble, to meet staff exhausted by health protocols as well as those defending community-based education networks. Because mutual aid is an integral part of the magazine’s values, it invites those who are “broke” to write to them to negotiate their subscription. And they promise you, “we’ll always work something out.”
Speaking of altruism, have you heard of “suspended coffees”? This charitable initiative involves ordering two coffees—one for yourself and one for someone in need who asks for it. Following the same principle, let’s now turn to “pending subscriptions.” New Naratif, a pro-democracy “pure player” focused on Southeast Asia, has been relying on the generosity of its members for the past few weeks to offer subscriptions to those who can’t afford them. By choosing a higher-priced annual plan, subscribers can sponsor up to ten people. This will help multiply the impact of this media outlet, which advocates for the empowerment of people in the Global Southin the face of authoritarian governments that control and censor the press.
“Information is a public good,” insists Splann!, the first NGO dedicated to investigative journalism in Brittany. All investigations published on the website and on those of partner media outlets are available free of charge, funded by donations from individuals and philanthropic foundations. This business model is similar to that of Disclose, its sponsor. In three months, the organization raised nearly 53,000 euros from 1,090 donors. Yec’hed mat, Splann!
Sponsorship, membership, donations… the business models of this commited and independent press continue to expand and evolve. Will you join us?
