Dataharvest 2025 - the European Investigative Journalism Conference

All over Europe, small, independent media outlets are emerging, countering the decline in traditional media and the rise of misinformation. But they are still outnumbered and face significant challenges to their survival.
For the first time, facts about this new sector have been collected: a survey of 174 newsrooms from 31 European countries has pulled together knowledge about these small, often non-profit newsrooms. The survey, conducted by Netzwerk Recherche, shows fiery souls, great enthusiasm and professionalism, but also big challenges in funding and sustainability. What is the situation? Are some business models more suitable than others? What should be done to support the sector – and where could support come from?

Independent newsrooms are sprouting up all over Europe. Countering the decline in traditional media and the rise of misinformation, they are still outnumbered and face significant challenges to their survival. The Journalism Value Project (JVP) aims to advance knowledge of and debate around Europe’s independent media. As part of advancing the debate, the JVP partners have consulted with stakeholders from multiple sectors to better understand how they view, value and support journalism now and in the future and how public interest journalism is bringing social, cultural, democratic, and financial value to their community and society at large.
The Journalism Value Project (JVP) has put the spotlight on the societal value of independent journalism and the challenges it faces. The project includes a whitepaper about the needs of the future: Is there a place for these media? Are they a priority for funders, or for politicians at national and EU level? Must the newsroom find their own ways to become sustainable?