Being the head of an independent public interest medium can be quite lonely. Especially when it comes to handling managerial issues in the organisation. At the same time, more and more of these independent outlets have been established throughout Europe in the past years. In order to solve organisational problems that nobody can solve alone, eighteen European independent media decided in 2021 to join forces in the self-organised exchange network Reference, the European Independent Media Circle.
Members of Reference are active in print media, audio media, and digital platforms. The circle, today with 26 members, welcomes both for- and non-profit media, hyperlocals and media that specialise in investigative journalism. What they share is a belief in the crucial importance of independent quality journalism in the public interest. In the safe space of the network, the directors (or CEOs, or however the non-editorial heads of the organisations are called) find organisational advice, share experiences, and swap best practices.
The Reference Circle is hosted by Arena for Journalism in Europe which provides strategic, organisational, and financial support.
See the current members of the Reference Circle.