The Imperative of Supporting Independent Journalism

A recent comment from a reader of The French Dispatch provoked some thoughts on why we as citizens should support independent journalism and why I do what I do.

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After months of discussions and requests from readers worldwide on how to develop

The French Dispatch

, I decided to re-evaluate how the content will be produced.

I announced that I would keep the central part of the publication, the Weekly Dispatch, free for all readers and that there would be a new segment, The European Weekly, accessible to paid subscribers supporting the publication.

Although there was an overwhelmingly positive response to this, I received an interesting reaction from one reader, which I felt needed addressing:

Reading this comment, my initial reaction was to think about whether I had made the right decision and whether I was sabotaging the initial goal of

The French Dispatch

by making a portion of the product available only to those who financially support the development of the publication.

However, after a few discussions with some confidants and advisors, I decided that the misconception within this message was important enough to write a response to explain why I chose to do this, whilst also leading me to a more extensive consideration of independent journalism.

As a caveat, this is not intended to be a complaint or an indignant response to what many may regard as a simple message but more of an explanation of why I disagree with this opinion and what is needed to continue this work.

However, before I go into that, we need to discuss why supporting journalism is so important in the grand scheme of things…

The problem with modern news consumption

An endless ocean of news, articles, blog posts, and social media updates available at the click of a button surround us. But in this flood of free content, valuing and funding the journalism we consume cannot be overemphasised. Journalism is not just a product; it is a service to society, an essential pillar of democracy, and a necessary means of learning.

The sustainability of this vital institution depends on us, the consumers, and we need to recognise and invest in the journalism that enriches us. Independent journalism acts as a nation or a society's watchdog, holding it accountable and uncovering truths that may otherwise remain hidden.

Journalists serve as our eyes and ears, shedding light on social issues, amplifying unheard voices, and fostering dialogue and understanding. Doing so will help ensure transparency and accountability, the values ​​that underpin healthy societies and functioning democracies.

Extensive research, fact-checking and a rigorous editorial process are required to ensure the information disseminated is accurate, fair and insightful. However, this vital task is often costly. Investigative reporting, in particular, requires time, expertise, resources and, in some cases, personal risk.

Without adequate funding, the quality of independent journalism declines, misinformation and sensationalism increase and can lead to a lack of depth and context in reporting.

When we pay for journalism, we're not just buying a product. We invest in services that strengthen society. We ensure that we continue to provide accurate and detailed coverage that is important for readers to understand the world. In doing so, we contribute to maintaining a strong and independent media environment that is so critical to the functioning of democracy.

Paid subscriptions encourage innovation in journalism, enabling news outlets to experiment with new formats and storytelling techniques, invest in new technologies, and broaden their coverage of various topics and perspectives. Ultimately, this investment will result in a richer, more diverse, and more engaging media landscape. Moreover, it is not only about keeping journalism alive but also about fostering its growth and development.

In the realm of personal growth and learning, the value of independent journalism is immense. Whether it is thought-provoking editorials, well-researched investigative articles, or nuanced analyses of current events, good journalism expands our horizons, deepens our understanding, and challenges our perspectives while encouraging critical thinking.

However, this value is not always reflected in how we consume media. The digital age has created a culture of free content consumption that often undervalues ​​the work of journalists. This culture can jeopardise the sustainability of quality journalism through clickbaity, unresearched news that gets churned out daily, weakens trust in the industry, and undermines confidence in our institutions. It even makes it easier for populists and malign actors to take advantage of the system and weaken the fabric of society.

It’s essential that we go the extra mile daily to support a future where journalism is informed, enlightened and thought-provoking. Where it actively supports the society around it and empowers citizens to make the right choices in their lives and their communities.

The truth is that we get what we pay for. We must invest passionately when we value thorough, accurate, and insightful journalism. And we, as individual consumers, are not the only ones to benefit from this investment. It helps our society and promotes a more informed, participatory, and democratic world.  

Ensuring the survival and evolution of the journalism society needs and deserves is entirely in our hands. We are not just passive consumers when we pay for journalism. We are actively committed to upholding the standards of independent journalism and the values ​​it represents.

So the next time you feel enriched, enlightened, or inspired by journalism, think of it as more than just skimming it. Think of it as an investment in the future of knowledge, accountability, democracy and, most importantly, quality journalism. 

So, back to the initial comment

To start with, while I understand this message's sentiment and agree that news and information should be accessible to all, it misses an essential requirement.

We have to collectively understand that while journalism serves a public function, it also requires resources to ensure its quality and credibility. Journalists work hard to research, report, and break down the news, but the process often requires extensive research and time.

In addition, maintaining a digital platform comes with development costs. Your contribution to the cause is more than just a payment. It is an investment in a service designed to keep you informed, alert, and prepared regarding topics that you find important.

However, we fully understand the desire for accessible information. This is the balance that I want to maintain to keep my work accessible while ensuring its security and my ability to continue delivering. 

I want to build a model that can reduce costs for my readers and supporters while maintaining high standards and building upwards. My goal is not just to create journalism but to ensure it reaches the people who need it and for whom it helps fuel their important work.

While some content will remain free and open to those who want it, the reality is that if you want to see more from

The French Dispatch

, your contribution to the publication has a direct link to what you would like to see and what you will receive.

To contextualise,

The French Dispatch

went from being read in a limited circle within the Brussels bubble, to being read by politicians, circulating within the EU institutions, to being read across 37 US states and 67 countries globally.

While I’m proud of what has been accomplished so far and that your strong support has taken what was initially a short-term pet project and made it into a global brand, this is something that requires additional investment.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m happy to hear that people enjoy my writing and work so much that they want more, and it’s genuinely a pleasure to hear. However, there are still limitations to what is possible.

The French Dispatch

simply doesn’t have the financial support that major publications such as The Guardian, Politico, or the Economist have, which is often earned through subscriptions, donations, advertising, sponsorship deals, or other work produced on the back end.

For this reason, and to continue delivering and increasing the level of quality while developing the structure and team of the publication, it’s necessary for

The French Dispatch

to receive some compensation for some segments.

However, to tie this all off, I should thank the person who wrote this comment for provoking some thoughts in me.

Not only did it give me a reason to pause and reflect on the reality of journalism, but it led me to reflect on why I and others support quality journalism and why it’s so important to defend this essential institution.

It’s also made me think about why I do what I do for you all, How I need to tailor to the readership’s demand, and what I am asking of you to continue upholding the promise I made almost two years ago when I launched

The French Dispatch

.

Thanks for reading! If you’d like to contribute a coffee or two to help fuel my writing or my work in general, feel free to click on the picture below: