We make journalism sustainable and impactful

First Draft Media does so in order to foster a pluralistic media environment even in those places that are most hostile to a free and independent press. To these aims, First Draft Media implements a set of activities that centers the audience, puts the publisher first, and develops innovative publishing technologies and solutions.

Publish & Professionalize

"At First Draft Media, we seek to close some of the gaps in management capacity, in funding and acquisition, in editorial standards, etc. for digital media platforms in order to let newsrooms and publications reach their full potential and flourish in their mission to draft history for all."

Launch new journalistic titles

First Draft Media launches new journalistic titles, as publisher, in cooperation with journalists and editors that have a unique voice and wish to contribute to a pluralistic and high-quality media environment.

Promote editorial professionalization

First Draft Media works with publishers and newsrooms to strengthen their value proposition, both internally and externally. Our stake in this is that in doing so, we strengthen the reliability of and trust in news.

Strengthen (exiled) media management

We provide newsroom development support (journalistic, financial, operational, etc.), audience engagement strategies, digital security and hygiene support and public outreach and web development support.

Engage & Sustain

"At First Draft Media, we believe in a journalism that serves the public in ways that engage audiences to sustain your journalism in return. That’s why we partner with newsrooms, entrepreneurial journalists, and media organizations to evolve how journalism is produced, distributed, and funded."

Research user needs and uncover novel audience insights

We work with you to collect meaninfgul feedback from your users, comb through all that data and make sense of it in a way that helps decision-making. We aim to make audience research fun for you AND your audience!

Implement membership and donations

We work with teams to build simple, honest membership models that fit their journalism and community based on their audience needs and editorial values.

Introduce innovative news products

From audience-first explainers to AI-powered workflows, we help you see your journalism from a product lens and turn your ideas into news products that work and can be monetised.

Coach news publishers one-on-one

We offer one-on-one support to publishers navigating growth, audience development, business development, and AI integration. We come in like a temporary member of of your team, working with you to build sustainable systems, tools, and processes.

Secure & Innovate

"Publishers and their audiences—especially those in heavily censored environments—have specific security and privacy needs that often aren't met by the internet freedom community. Censorship and security innovations at First Draft Media put the relationship between publishers and their audiences first."

Develop innovative publishing technologies

First Draft Media develops innovative publishing technologies. Key to the First Draft Media portfolio is the development and distribution of digital tools and services that support journalists and media outlets.

Mitigate internet censorship and shutdowns

Manage newsroom digital security

"DigiSec-as-a-Service" is our comprehensive, subscription-based digital security management service for newsrooms and publishers. Get the comprehensive digital security training, platform monitoring and rapid response services you expect from a on-site security manager at preferential rates.

Protect sources and whistleblowers

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