Global Journalism Research Report: From Broken Revenue Models to Embracing an Open Ethos

CC, in partnership with Google News Initiative, created CC’s Open Journalism webinar series and training, ‘Ground Truth in Open Internet.’ This training, and the subsequent report, Journalism Research: From Broken Revenue Models to Embracing an “Open” Ethos was created after surveying and conducting focus groups with over 500 journalists from 18 countries to better understand journalists’ needs during this turbulent time as digital news rapidly changes. The survey and in-depth focus groups found that disruption to local news media revenue has damaged access to accurate information and made it more difficult to combat disinformation. Participants raised four challenges related to the broken revenue model: misinformation and disinformation, the proliferation of online abuse, loss of trust in journalism, and the increasing difficulty of making a living from journalism. The loss of local newspapers in many places has led to a disconnection between the public and journalists which has partly contributed to the decline in trust. The proliferation of paid-for content has been necessary to maintain the industry but has also led to barriers being erected around news and information that could help to combat misinformation. Many journalists feel “ground down” by the threats that are targeted at them and, in countries where violence can sometimes be a feature of political debate, some journalists spoke of their fear of being attacked and how that can have a chilling effect on public debates. The report also found that editorial independence of journalists in the Global South is under threat, with an increasing reliance on advertising income from governments to fund their work. Journalism is a form of public service, critical to all of us. Unfettered access to verified information is essential for a healthy information ecosystem – essential for democracy. Yet, journalists face threats to their physical safety and online wellbeing, broken revenue models, the closures of local news outlets, and declining trust among readers. Misinformation and disinformation campaigns in the media challenge collective notions of ground truth. They also challenge the bedrock and meaning of an open internet.