Digital platforms impact the financial sustainability of news media. The Digital Platform Initiative aims to assist and empower the news industry and INMA members in dealing with these challenges.
Scope of the Initiative
Synthesise
Decode the issues facing the news industry as a result of existing and emerging digital platforms such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Instagram, Twitter, and more
Positions
Consider taking a position on key issues impacting the prosperity of journalism and news media companies
Playbook
Recommend a commercial playbook for members: best practices in dealing with digital platforms, having consideration for ad-funded vs. subscription-funded business models
Remedies
Consider the potential remedies that individual editors and CEOs can consider advocating for
Deliverables
Reports
Create ongoing reports update members on this constantly evolving landscape. Not a member? Request a copy of the report here.
World Congress
Report card to be presented annually at the INMA World Congress of News Media
Blogs
Ongoing blog coverage of the most important developments with the major platforms for publishers
- New Zealand to introduce negotiation-based legislation governing Big Tech, media, 1 February 2023
- Are Meta and the news industry done for good?, 12 December 2022
- News publishers are moving their Big Tech focus to advertising revenues , 7 December 2022
- Competition Commission of India “clubs” multiple news media complaints against Google, 12 October 2022
- Google, Meta respond to Canada’s Online News Act , 23 August 2022
Digital Platform Initiative Lead
Heading the Digital Platform Initiative for INMA is Robert Whitehead, an Australia-based disruptionist, advisor to and investor in start-ups, and long-time executive with Fairfax Media. Robert has served on the INMA Board of Directors and moderated INMA conferences and study tours around the world.
Committee
The Board of Directors appointed a committee to oversee the Digital Platform Initiative:
Damian Eales
Chief Operating Officer
News Corp Australia (chair)
John Boynton
Chief Executive Officer
Torstar, Canada
Espen Egil Hansen
Editor and Chief Executive Officer Aftenposten, Norway
Maribel Perez Wadsworth
President
USA Today Network, United States
A Note from the Committee
INMA is not a direct lobbying organisation, a role we feel is best played by national news media trade organisations and individual members. We believe the primary role for INMA is to educate our members on the issues facing the industry due to the digital platforms, the implications for their business model, and the strategies they should consider employing. We want to shine a light, synthesise, and empower. We consider this initiative consistent with INMA’s mission of “sharing ideas and inspiring change.”
Background
The INMA Digital Platform Initiative was approved by the association’s Board of Directors and implemented January 1, 2019. The Board believes INMA can play a role in synthesising the myriad of developments with the major platforms internationally and shine a light on positive ways to cooperate as well as areas of improvement.