Why are so many journalists leaving newsrooms to go independent?

Why are so many journalists leaving newsrooms to go independent?

The long and short of it: Traditional media’s job market instability and journalists’ desire for more autonomy on the content they cover and their revenue are two factors pushing journalists to go independent in 2024. This shift is becoming more relevant as the 2024 election cycle drives increased demand for independent political news and analysis.

Journalists as content creators: The rise of independent journalism parallels the creator economy. Platforms like Substack enable journalists to bypass traditional media, offering more control and potential financial rewards.

High-profile journalists like Bari Weiss, previously at The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, illustrate how this path can be both financially sustainable and creatively fulfilling.

Substack is not the only way to go: 404 Media recently celebrated its first anniversary. Such independent ventures demonstrate how small, journalist-owned outlets can thrive.But what does it take for such an endeavour to succeed? By focusing on high-quality, niche content, these outlets build loyal, paying audiences, echoing the success of creators in other fields who rely on direct audience support.

“GenAI will benefit the media industry when it brings maximum value directly to the readers”

Seiya Shinhashi, product manager at Nikkei, said this in the latest INMA report about problems solved by GenAI in the newsroom. Nikkei’s approach: Minutes by Nikkei uses GenAI to combine several articles into one concise format, appealing to students and younger businesspeople who prefer shorter news formats. This strategy has made content more accessible to younger audiences, broadening their subscription base without diluting premium offerings.

Using AI for the benefit of the audience: The “AI in Journalism Futures” report underscores AI’s potential to eventually take over entire news production processes. The key to leveraging this technological shift lies in how effectively publishers use AI to understand and anticipate audience needs. Those who master AI-driven personalization and audience insights will set the standard for engagement and loyalty, positioning themselves as future market leaders.

Watch out: As Hannes Cools and Nicholas Diakopoulos emphasize in their recent study about the uses of GenAI in the newsroom, AI also presents challenges, particularly around ethics and bias. The true promise of AI lies in its capacity to assist journalistic practices, not just by enhancing efficiency but by forging deeper connections with audiences through personalized, high-quality content.

What does it take to create a great news product?

Cross-department collaboration: In a recent interview with The Audiencers, Mariah Craddick highlighted the importance of collaboration in product development. At The Atlantic, she ensures teams across the newsroom, marketing, engineering, and design work seamlessly together.  Reflecting on her approach, Mariah said, “I like to say the ‘quiet parts out loud’, particularly around how we best navigate change in our industry—sometimes requiring us to do things differently and make difficult changes not only in what we work on but how we work across our companies.”

Data-driven decisions: Mariah’s team at The Atlantic was committed to data-driven decisions that align with audience needs and business goals. She explains, “I’m constantly thinking about how we make our current products and experiences so invaluable that readers and subscribers use it constantly, find value in it, and continue to pay for it.” 

Equipping people with the right tools and knowledge: At the Digital Growth Summit, Mariah will offer practical advice on integrating AI into product development, emphasizing the need to equip teams for strategic influence: “As a product leader, I’m also concerned about how we best equip our teams and therefore our organizations in the midst of this change.” Mariah’s session at the Digital Growth Summit, alongside Christian Röpke from DIE ZEIT, Marina Sorg from F.A.Z., and moderated by Max Leroy from POLITICO Europe, is a must-attend for insights on building valuable news products.

Register now for the Twipe Digital Growth Summit!

Interested in seeing Mariah and other industry leaders discuss trends in GenAI and finite experiences? Discover the latest program.

See you on October 8th in Brussels!

Twipe customer update

🔗 Turning unknown visitors into subscriber

Context: Advance Local, a US publisher, wanted to leverage the fact that their subscribers enjoy sharing their articles with friends and family.

The solution: Twipe launched a new web app feature that prompts users who open a shared article to subscribe or log in with the click of a button.

The result: It makes it easier for readers to get full access to the content—whether by registering or logging in!

🗞️ What we’re reading

• Nieman Lab explains why readers prefer clear, simple headlines.
• Pew Research finds that about half of TikTok users under 30 use it to keep up with politics and news.
• Axios explores how publishers are promoting play through puzzle games.

💡 Twipee recommendations

Ioana Frincu, one of our Young Graduates in Business Engineering, recently read White Nights by Dostoyevsky.

White Nights by Dostoyevsky is a beautifully bittersweet novella about unrequited love set against the dreamy backdrop of St. Petersburg. Perfect for a quick, emotional escape. If you find yourself relating to the protagonist a little too much, maybe it’s time to finally ask your crush out. Or at least start a new hobby.

Ioana Frincu

Young Graduate, Business Engineeering