Podcast: What are the biggest mistakes of media startups?

As part of my recent work with DW Akademie, I was interviewed for a podcast that is part of the training and tools they offer to media startups. What follows is a summary of the key points of the podcast: Who are our clients, what do they need? The biggest mistake that media startups make […]

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The danger isn’t algorithms but the humans who write them

A former student recently interviewed me on the use of algorithms in social networks. He was doing a research project for another journalism professor. Weren’t these algorithms leading to the spread of disinformation in the news? he asked. Yes, the algorithms had allowed for the rapid spread of hoaxes and conspiracy theories related to covid-19. […]

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5 keys to making quality journalism sustainable

Author’s note: this post is a summary of remarks I made in a Zoom presentation for the Free University of Brussels and the technology research center IMEC. This research started when our colleague told us he was worried about the future of quality media. He saw traditional media failing as businesses because they were not […]

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‘A crisis is the best time to launch a startup’

Author’s note: My friend and former colleague Hector Farina Ojeda at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico invited me recently to be interviewed on his radio show and podcast. Professor Farina knew of my interest in media entrepreneurs and wanted to know how covid-19 was affecting them, among other topics. What follows is a translation […]

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How eldiario.es gets people to pay for a free publication

The secret lies in treating users like partners in the journalism project “We’re independent because we’re profitable.” — Ignacio Escolar, director, eldiario.es The journalism industry has noticed the success of the digital media startup eldiario.es and is trying to duplicate it. That will not be easy. This independent news publication in Spain has been growing […]

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