We are hiring! Coordinator for independent media network (part-time)
Join the Reference team, and help support the future of independent media in Europe!
The Journalism Value Loop: a new podcast interviewing independent media
Exploring what success and sustainability looks like for European independent media today.
The Journalism Value Survey: Mapping Public Interest Journalism in Europe
How can independent public interest journalism convert its public value into financial value? With the Journalism Value Project, we aim to find that out.
Design Thinking for Solidarity: Fostering Collaboration in the European Public-Interest Media Sector
On Friday 2 June 2023, at Dataharvest in Mechelen, we hosted a Design Thinking for Solidarity workshop, bringing together approximately 15 participants from the Reference Circle network and grantees by Civitates. The two networks co-organized the workshop. We set out to explore ways to promote solidarity among audiences within the European public-interest media sector. Below … Read more
The Reference Circle Spring 2023 meet-up: building our capacity to work together
Earlier this month, 24 leaders of independent media organisations from across Europe gathered in Belgium to work on solving shared challenges together. At this Reference Circle meet-up at Dataharvest, one of two in-person network meetings we hold each year, we created space for discussions about developing the network, as well as working on specific challenges … Read more
From Value to Revenue: lighting the path to sustainability for independent media
Announcing our new project to support European public-interest media to become financially sustainable through better monetising the value they provide to society.
Voices of independent media from the 2023 International Journalism Festival
A few weeks ago, members of Reference went to speak, listen, learn and be inspired at the 17th International Journalism Festival in Perugia. Here we’ve collected some reflections on our experience, what we learned this year, and what we hope for next year’s festival. Highlights Networking & inspiration “If there is a paradise for journalists, … Read more
Reference is going to Perugia
Do you want to know how we can truly monetise independent journalism’s value for society? Join Reference’s panel at the 2023 Perugia Journalism Festival! With Sofia da Palma Rodrigues (Divergente), Jan-Willem Sanders (Follow the Money), Peter Matjašič (Investigate Europe) and moderated by Sanne Schim van der Loeff (Arena for Journalism in Europe). It’s hard for … Read more
Talking HR
In May 2022, the Reference circle got together in Mechelen, Belgium, together with a few Civitates grantees. In a session, the participants discussed the challenges they face in Human Resource management. In three rounds they exchanged best practices, tips and questions in small groups on the following questions: Throughout, the participants encouraged each other to … Read more
Reference argues for infrastructural funding
In a recent Consultation the European Commission is gathering information on the current and emerging problems related to media freedom and pluralism. The Commission asks stakeholders to submit evidence and concrete data underpinning the problems identified, and their views on the potential policy approach, options and impacts. As Reference, we submitted the a position paper … Read more