First Draft Media designs its publishing platforms from the get go with monetization in mind.

First Draft Media founders have a proven track record and network in publishing, media development and media support. By taking on the role of publisher for new titles, First Draft media enables these journalists and editors to focus on the journalism, leaving the business side of things to First Draft Media. First Draft Media launches titles irrespective of geography, type of media (daily, weekly, etc.) and channel (online, print, etc.) Potential titles are judged on a set of very specific criteria: (1) in their pursuit of the truth and in a desire to "draft history", and (2) in their ability to add a voice, perspective or journalistic niche—one that would otherwise be absent—to any mediascape. Together with its journalist-partners, First Draft Media aims to strengthen access to diverse, reliable information for people. New titles can either be bootstrapped or acquired.

Much like its wider mission, First Draft Media with these titles seeks to be  consciously and conscientiously for-profit. The international independent (often non-profit) media space right now is under intense pressure. International development funding is dwindling, especially in the US but also elsewhere. An estimated 150 million in media development funding has recently disappeared and media - and journalists - in developing countries, but especially also in authoritarian contexts worldwide, are struggling for survival. Mis-and desinformation, as a result, are on the rise everywhere.

While part of the answer does lie in international attention for this problem, and advocacy for reinstatement and/or replacement of sufficient donor funding public interest media, there is a different element to it that First Draft Media seeks to address. Independent media is a business turned development cooperation, merely by context. It has become a non-profit activity because of poverty or repression (or sanctions). But in the process, all business rationale has evaporated from the scene. Larger media operations might not be viable entirely through market-centric approaches, but not focussing on things like membership, advertising or spinoffs at all is still ill-advised.

First Draft Media designs its publishing platforms from the get go with monetization in mind. We do not shy away from attracting project funding, but will also never make that the central value proposition of a journalistic outlet. With this, we aim to set an example. Being fully dependent ("non-profit") is not something to pride yourself on. Focus on what your mission is and what your audience needs, not what a donor wants you to do, be or say. Being for-profit helps you do that. Helps you be independent.

In a similar vain, this is a message to the donor communities: when supporting independent media, support media as a business. Develop eligibility and financial management guidelines and in such a way that money-making is not discouraged. For governments: create a legal environment that supports revenue-generating activities for NGOs in general, and non-profit media in particular. Sustainability is not an annex to a non-profit activity, dear funders! Instead, encouraging economic activities and revenue within and amongst media outlets creates true sustainability and, in the end, limits spending of public funds.

First Draft media has soft-launched one platform right now together with several rockstar journalists, IranDraft.com, and others are in the pipelines.