Who we are

At First Draft Media, we believe in the power of journalism to bring dignity, dialogue, and direction to the world. We believe in journalism's ability to be of service to those who tune in. We are a social enterprise working to support freedom of expression by combining audience-first publishing, publisher-first technology development, and strategic consultancy. We are not here to follow the news cycle, we are here to change the media ecosystem behind it.

Our Mission

To support and sustain press freedom by:

• Launching and supporting editorially courageous media outlets
• Building digital tools that break censorship barriers
• Strengthening the resilience of independent media through expert consulting, AI adoption, and audience research

Our Approach

We operate across three main areas.

Publishing

We develop and launch media titles, especially those in exile or covering underreported issues that add essential voices to global discourse. Our editorial projects prioritize audience needs, slow journalism, and sustaining their operations through reader revenue.

Technology

We design anti-censorship tools and publisher-centric technology. From AI workflows to VPN integrations, we bring a unique perspective. Our tech is built with and for publishers, not as an afterthought.

Consultancy

We support media outlets, civil society organisations, and funders with strategic insights—covering everything from newsroom development and digital security to audience engagement and business sustainability.