Independent media face growing threats from political and commercial pressures. Traditional funding models – public subsidies and market-based revenues – can no longer ensure editorial independence.
The Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) has pioneered a “third way” approach that brings together philanthropic foundations, impact investors, and media professionals to build mission-aligned, plural ownership structures. Supported by concessional capital, this model enhances media resilience, especially in fragile democracies.
Investing in quality journalism supports multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals). Italian philanthropy can play a key role in protecting independent information as a public good.
Patrice Schneider, Chief Strategy Officer of the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF), addresses these issues in an article written in Italian for Percorsi di secondo welfare, a research and information lab at the University of Milan. The article is available at this link.