Headliner

No. 83 — Top of the List
It’s May 30, 2024, and you’re reading the newsletter from Médianes.

Hello, everyone,

Often, when we think about organizing an event around our media outlet, the idea of a celebration comes to mind: it’s about celebrating an anniversary, the release of a new issue, or the launch of a new offering. What if we told you that these moments could be structured and become an economic driver for your media outlet?

Today, we’re sharing several examples of media outlets that showcase their work through an event strategy that highlights what their journalists do best: covering the news.

Also in this issue, you’ll find an interview with Rémi-Kenzo Pagès, co-founder of the Association of Anti-Racist and People of Color Journalists (Ajar), an in-depth look at artificial intelligence charters, a poetic-scientific journal, work-study opportunities at our organization, and job openings all over the place.

Enjoy the read,

— MARINE SLAVITCH, JOURNALIST AT MÉDIANES

Why not?

IDEAS FOR YOUR MEDIA

Adopting an event strategy centered on current events is a good way to showcase your team’s expertise. The event thus becomes a tool for building audience loyalty and a gateway to introducing your project to a wider audience, who will initially attend the event for its programming.

Take Responsibility

Events can certainly be integrated into your media outlet’s editorial content. While the magazine *Le Grand Continent* organizes in-person conferences on European topics to expand on its articles, the investigative nonprofit ProPublica prefers online events. ProPublica uses the registration process to collect information about participants and personalize content recommendations on its website, thereby expanding its audience and fostering an engaged community.

Gather

Events provide a good opportunity to invite other socially conscious media outlets to join forces. While Climax doesn’t cover environmental issues the way Mediapart does, the fanzine demonstrated how their efforts complement each other by organizing an “anti-anniversary” event last March to mark TotalEnergies’ 100th anniversary. It was an opportunity to invite Mickaël Correia, a journalist specializing in the subject at Mediapart. In addition to enriching the discussions and demonstrating the strength of unity, inviting a well-known media outlet helps the editorial team gain legitimacy and visibility.

Represent

Since its launch, the feminist magazine *La Déferlante* has invited key figures from the feminist movement to its evening events, conferences, and bookstore gatherings. These figures thus become ambassadors for the publication, enabling it to expand its reach. The choice of venue is also of great importance. Whether it’s a performance hall or a community bar, the venue will help reach an audience already interested in certain themes or activities covered by the magazine and strengthen its reputation.

From the studio's perspective

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Join the team! Médianes, the studio, is hiring for three positions in apprenticeship contracts (work-study), starting in fall 2024.

We are currently looking to hire a full-stack developer, a graphic designer (UX/UI), and a marketing and communications project manager as apprentices.

On Our Radar

OUR MARKET RESEARCH TO SUPPORT YOUR PROJECTS

Twitch as a New Source of Information

TAYLOR LORENZ / WASHINGTON POST

It’s no secret: since the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, paper prices have skyrocketed. So how can we adapt? Reducing page counts, changing formats, and making editorial choices… While some media outlets are cutting costs to limit the damage, others continue to rely on print for its symbolic power and readers’ attachment to the medium.

Behind the Charters

GRETEL KAHN / REUTERS INSTITUTE

Tomás Dodds, a researcher at Harvard University, analyzed the guidelines issued by more than 30 media outlets regarding the use of artificial intelligence in their newsrooms. His research shows that these guidelines are often imposed without consulting the journalists on staff, resulting in ineffective rules and policies.

Over at medianes.org

IT'S HOMEMADE

Ajar: A Look Back at the First Year

OWEN HUCHON / MEDIANES.ORG

Last year, after several months of behind-the-scenes work, Ajar publicly announced its launch. Rémi-Kenzo Pagès, one of Ajar’s spokespersons, takes stock of a year marked by rapid growth for the young organization and several significant media moments.

In Brief

THAT WAY, YOU'LL KNOW

• Brief.me, Climax, l’INA… : ces médias recrutent. Découvrez leurs offres.

• The poetry-and-science fanzine Cui-Cui is now accepting preorders for its summer issue, featuring bats and glow-worms.

• Reporterre, an independent environmental news outlet, has published its financial statements. More than 98% of its monthly budget comes from reader donations.

• “Lesbians by the Fire” is back! The Manifesto XXI podcast is launching a campaign for a second season full of sapphic romances.

• INDEX, an independent open-source investigative media outlet, is launching a newsletter that offers a behind-the-scenes look at its investigations.

• Our favorite: This Instagram account, run by an ARTE fan, offers in-depth reviews of the channel’s programs.

See you on June 13!

Thank you for your messages, which have helped us make this newsletter even better. We’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome David, Bertille, Fleur, Déborah, Pauline, Lucile, Sylvia, and everyone else who has recently signed up.

See you on June 13. Until then, take care of yourselves and your social media.

— THIS NEWSLETTER WAS PREPARED BY MARINE SLAVITCH IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MÉDIANES TEAM.