No. 128 — JULY 30, 2026
Equip Your Media
Hello, everyone,
We often think of a media outlet’s independence as a matter of editorial policy and budget. But there’s a third, more subtle aspect: technology. This month, Dorine Planté and Owen Huchon discuss European media outlets that have turned technology into an asset rather than a constraint.
This conviction also guides our own projects, from the Club, which opens this fall, to the Sphera Media Lab, which returns to Brussels in December. Taking control of our tools, pooling resources, and cooperating across borders: these are all ways to ensure our long-term sustainability rather than facing the platforms alone.
In this issue, you’ll also find our selection of summer reads, the Arrêt sur images book club, a behind-the-scenes look at the economics of StreetPress, the crisis facing independent book distribution—and, here at our company, an internship opportunity you won’t want to miss!
Enjoy the read,
MARINE DOUX, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF MÉDIANES
The Strategy
Ideas for Your Media
Turn Your Technological Independence into an Editorial Asset
The International Criminal Court has switched from Microsoft Office to OpenDesk; the Belgian media outlet Médor has invested €55,000 in an open-source update; The Markup has calculated the hourly cost of its technical independence: technological independence has become a strategic issue for any newsroom, not just a technical detail.
Audit
Before replacing anything, you need to know what you’re actually using: which tools, for what purpose, hosted where, and at what cost. This audit should involve the entire team, not just one person: you might be surprised to discover how certain tools are actually being used. It helps distinguish between easy substitutions and areas of friction, and prevents you from moving forward blindly.
Replace
It’s better to move forward in stages than to strive for technological purity. Start with the least critical tools, document what works, and factor in the necessary time and budget from the outset: open source isn’t free.
Light up
Compromises are inevitable, and that’s normal. What matters is transparency: explaining to your readers the choices you’ve made, the exceptions that remain, and the path you’ve taken—rather than a perfect outcome.
→ This issue continues our series of case studies on the independent press in Europe. Last month, we discussed donations: if you missed the first installment, it’s still available for free on our website.
On the network side
A GLANCE AT THE NEWS
A day for
to convene in Brussels,
those who do
independent news
in Europe: the
Sphera Media Lab
It's back on December 3! Talks, masterclasses, workshops, and meetups—enough to leave with concrete ideas and, often, new allies.
Organized by European Lab and Médianes, it brings together media outlets from across Europe (444, El Salto, StreetPress, VD News, etc.) to discuss three key areas: technological, economic, and editorial independence.
This year, we’re kicking off the program: submit a proposal for a master class (practical advice) or a lecture (a presentation based on a real-life case study).
Want to be part of it? Submit your format by August 31.
On Our Radar
What We're Reading Right Now
Distribution: The Weak Link in Indie Publishing
PIERRE TENNE / SPECIAL EDITION
Independent publishing houses are in crisis, and it’s not just Bolloré’s fault. The industry is struggling with its distributors, who are burdened with complex logistics that few organizations can handle. Makassar, a long-standing distributor dedicated to independent publishing, is at risk of bankruptcy, forcing booksellers and publishers to improvise.
Taking the Plunge
CHRISTOPHER CLARK / GIJN
Sixteen years ago, Johan Weisz-Myara borrowed €5,000 from his bank, officially to renovate his bathroom. In reality, that was enough to launch StreetPress (in partnership with Médianes), which now reaches up to 6 million people a month and publishes numerous investigative reports on the far right. Here’s a look back at the development of a model that relies on more than 15,000 donors.
Ads
partner content
- Splann!, Brittany’s leading independent investigative media outlet, is hiring a development and nonprofit coordination specialist.
- Mouvement, an independent cultural magazine, asked Médianes for a tailor-made training program: audience understanding, editorial marketing, and fundraising campaign.
- The Club de Médianes opens this fall: a space to come together, pool resources, and strengthen media independence together, and your feedback is already helping us build it.
- Médianes will be at the Audiencers Festival on September 29 in Paris. Baptiste Thevelein and Marine Doux will speak about new fundraising strategies. We hope to see you there!
- Do you have a job opening, a new media outlet, or a new service you’d like to highlight? Book your ad in this insert
Our Latest Posts
It's homemade
Turn Your Technological Independence into an Editorial Asset
OWEN HUCHON AND DORINE PLANTÉ / MÉDIANES
New month, new case study. For this second issue, we analyzed the strategies of about ten European media outlets to regain control over their tools: audits, the transition to open source, and transparency regarding trade-offs.
"Arrêt sur images" Focuses on the Book Club
OWEN HUCHON / MIDFIELDERS
A new gateway, a younger audience, a re-united community: the “Arrêt sur images” book club is riding a trend, while also raising real questions about technological independence and the role of creators in the newsroom.
Our Summer 2026 Reading Recommendations
Agathe Kupfer & THE MÉDIANES TEAM
As independent publishing wavers and deserves our support more than ever, the Médianes team shares its picks with you: road trips to the four corners of the world, an essay on our relationship with young people, or an immersion in Oxford in 1828. And you, which books are in your suitcase?
In Brief
THAT WAY, YOU'LL KNOW
1. StreetPress, Urbania, Kometa: These media outlets are hiring. Check out their job openings.
2. Interested in Médianes? We're looking for a communications specialist for a 6-month internship. Join us!
3. The Guardian takes a behind-the-scenes look at its Long Read magazine and explains how the editorial team adapts its articles from the web to print.
4. Komune, a member of our Media Collabs program, is launching a campaign to fund the creation of a comparison tool for presidential election candidates.
5. Want to make collages out of old magazines, but don't have any on hand? This site is for you.
More than Médianes
Check out our other newsletters
The 10 Links
In this newsletter, we’ve selected 10 essential links for anyone who wants to understand the media ecosystem, identify best practices, and anticipate the challenges facing the industry. Read the latest issue.
Behind the Scenes Newsletter
Events, insights, exclusive announcements… In this monthly newsletter, we share the latest news about Médianes, its projects, and its clients. Read the latest issue.
See you on Monday!
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This newsletter was prepared by Dorine Planté and Owen Huchon with the team at Médianes.
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