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No. 92 — In the Mail
It’s October 17, 2024, and you’re reading the newsletter from Médianes.

Hello, everyone,

Rapid advances in technology and changing public expectations are driving newsrooms to create new roles. Today, we take a look at these emerging roles, which range from promoting inclusivity to integrating artificial intelligence and optimizing content for digital platforms.

Also in this issue: coverage of the war in the Middle East by Le Monde’s teams; the concept of “impact” explored by Rembobine; the redesign of the magazine Trois Couleurs; a print influencer on LinkedIn; and the 10 new media outlets supported by Médianes, le studio.

Finally, our latest in-house article takes the form of an interview with Ariane Lavrilleux, Executive Director of the organization Prenons la Une. It’s an opportunity to discuss the role of allies in newsrooms, the fight against cyberbullying, and the role of equality officers.

Enjoy the read,

— MARINE SLAVITCH, JOURNALIST AT MÉDIANES

Why not?

IDEAS FOR YOUR MEDIA

EIssues of inclusivity, the rise of artificial intelligence, new ways of interacting with audiences… To meet the public’s changing expectations and keep pace with technological advancements, media organizations are reassessing their skill requirements. As a result, new professions are emerging, with the goal of supporting these changes and enabling newsrooms to stay current.

Inclusivity

To publish content that reflects society and ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in the workplace, it makes sense to invest in roles related to representation and inclusivity. At Mediapart, positions such as gender and racial equity officers have been created to ensure more equitable coverage. In practice, these individuals ensure a balanced distribution of speaking time in meetings and encourage the spotlighting of overlooked aspects of society in the topics covered.

Artificial Intelligence

While artificial intelligence is not intended to replace editorial judgment, it can nonetheless change work methods. For newsrooms, the challenge is to optimize both processes and productivity while quickly integrating AI-related innovations—even beyond journalism. At Sveriges Radio, Sweden’s public radio broadcaster, an AI lead heads a company-wide council tasked with overseeing the ethical use of these technologies in content creation and distribution.

Platforms

Online platforms, particularly the GAFAM companies and social media, are revolutionizing information habits and expectations, especially among younger generations. 40% of Gen Z youth (born between 1997 and 2015) get their news primarily through social media platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. At L’Équipe, a dedicated Content Manager is responsible for creating and optimizing posts specifically for this social media platform, tailoring stories and information to the platform’s format and audience.

From the studio's perspective

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Last week, we launched the second edition of the ProgramMédianes, our group mentorship program for founders of emerging, independent, and socially conscious media outlets.

So it's time for us to introduce you to the ten projects joining the new class!

This launch gave project leaders the opportunity to get to know one another and officially mark their entry into the programMédianes, which will last nine months. Business administration, marketing, management, production and distribution processes… The coming months will feature group and individual sessions, providing participants with the essential tools to develop their media outlets.

On Our Radar

OUR MARKET RESEARCH TO SUPPORT YOUR PROJECTS

War in the Middle East: A Year of News Coverage

EDITORIAL / LE MONDE

On October 7, Le Monde published a series of pieces (videos, photos, articles, live coverage) recounting the key events of the past year in the war between Israel and Hamas, while explaining how the newspaper’s various teams covered the story. How did the newsroom adapt in the face of the ban on access to Gaza? To what extent did propaganda from both sides seek to influence the journalists’ work? An informative and insightful retrospective.

Ode to the Postcard

AMY COWEN / PRINT

Are postcards outdated? Not at all! Their small size demands conciseness, which stimulates visual and narrative creativity while still conveying a strong emotional impact. When everything around us is moving too fast, the postcard invites us to slow down and reconnect with a more thoughtful and personal form of communication. We dream of a medium that would use postal art to tell stories…

Over at medianes.org

IT'S HOMEMADE

Equality in Newsrooms: Where Are Our Allies?

MARINE SLAVITCH / MEDIANES.ORG

Cyberbullying, equality officers, the role of allies: Ariane Lavrilleux, Executive Director of the association Prenons la Une, discusses the challenges women journalists face within their organizations, while also outlining the solutions needed to transform practices in newsrooms.

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In Brief

THAT WAY, YOU'LL KNOW

• La Croix, L’ADN, INDEX Investigation: These media outlets are hiring. Check out their job openings.

• Through case studies and interviews, Rembobine explores the concept of impact in its new section for newsrooms.

• The monthly magazine *Troiscouleurs*, published by the MK2 Group, is getting a makeover. Is the goal to turn it into a “real” culture magazine rather than just a brand-focused publication?

• In real life, Guillaume de Sousa is a printer in the Loire region. On LinkedIn, he’s a paper influencer with 16,000 followers.

• THE ultimate list of all the most useful forums for finding in-depth information on just about any topic.

• Our favorite: It’s an indie magazine newsstand, but also a café, a radio station, a newsletter, and a small concert venue. Everything we love.

See you on October 31!

Thank you for your messages, which have helped us enrich this newsletter. We’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome the teams at *Le Monde*, *Alternatives Économiques*, and *Euradio*, as well as everyone who has recently subscribed.

See you on October 31. Until then, take care of yourselves and your social media.

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