In association with Fojo Media Institute, Linnaeus University, Sweden
Search

Managing a media business

Our management section focuses on newsroom leadership and organisational development. Learn effective strategies for team building, resource allocation, staff development, conflict resolution, and editorial strategy that create productive, innovative, and resilient journalism organisations. All our material is free to download, adapt and use. Scroll down our site map for all the content in this and other sections.

Image by ILO/Giorgio Taraschi released under Creative Commons

Funding the news – a guide to sustainability

Sustainable business models for media managers launching outlets in tough economic climates. Explore resilient strategies for long-term growth and stability.
Image to illustrate the MDIF approach in Asia

A proven way to finance independent media

The Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) offers a distinctive route to media sustainability, combining mission-driven financing with deep strategic support to strengthen independent journalism worldwide. 
Image by 401(K) 2012 released via Creative Commons CC BY-SA 2.0

Developing a media sales strategy

Sales is one of the most important elements of a media company's commercial strategy. The sustainability of the business relies on its ability to generate income.
Media strategy training Kenya. Image by David Brewer shared via Creative Commons

Preparing a media corporate plan

The corporate plan is the most important tool in a media chief executive’s toolbox. Without it the media organisation can become lost and directionless.
Logos of media support organisations

Organisations supporting independent media

We have compiled a list of organisations that offer operational, strategic, and financial/business support for independent media, helping outlets survive, grow, and enhance their impact.
Image by Mia Judkin released via Creative Commons CC BY-SA 2.0

Setting up a media business

A media business is like a table with four legs - the target audience, the editorial proposition, values, and the market.
Image by Vera Kratochvil released via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication.

Establishing a market differential

This article sets out the process for producing original, in-depth, issue-led journalism designed to inform the public debate.
The author delivering copies of The Bhutan Reporter Monthly. Photo/Laura Pohl

Building a news team from scratch

Selecting, training and organising a strong news team is a challenge in any circumstances, but doing so in a refugee camp with no resources is an amazing achievement. One editor explains how it was done.
Journalist attending an interview for a job - Image created using Perplexity by MHM

Hiring and developing staff

Hiring the right journalists is one of the most critical decisions senior newsroom managers make. The following guide is designed to help editors choose the right candidates.
Photograph of Journalism training in Vietnam by David Brewer released via Creative Commons

Managing people and setting objectives

Media managers need to set clear objectives for all staff in order to get the best out of those who work for the news organisation.
Image of reporter and editor created by ChatGPT

Identifying training needs for journalists

When journalists fail to file a story it can sometimes reveal skill gaps. This exercise illustrates what editors hear and which training might fix the problem.
Image by David Brewer released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Developing the potential of your staff

Media training is about investing in people - your staff. They are your most precious resource.
Image of a diverged newsroom created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping Media

Diversity in journalism

Diversity in journalism extends beyond representation, it's also about enriching the news coverage produced and ensuring its relevance to a wider audience.
Journalists and contributors from Hurriyat Sudan www.hurriyatsudan.com/ learning how to produce original journalism during a week-long training course held in Kampala, Uganda and organised by Fojo International

Female representation in news leadership and coverage

Is your news organisation and its output male dominated? Are women fairly represented in newsroom leadership roles and the stories covered?

Related learning resources

Graphic for a Media Helping Media workshop outline

Workshop: Stress and trauma in journalism

Journalism can exposes reporters to trauma. This workshop offers techniques and tools to manage stress and protect a reporter's work and wellbeing.
Graphic for a Media Helping Media Lesson Plan

Lesson: SMART objectives for training

This lesson plan is designed to teach how to apply SMART objectives to training programmes for journalists and media managers. It's based on the article...
Graphic for a Media Helping Media Training Tool

Tool: The MHM newsroom staffing rota

Every news operations needs a staffing rota that provides excellent coverage during operational hours, makes maximum use of resources, and offers significant benefits for staff.
Graphic for a Media Helping Media Training Tool

Tool: SMART objectives for media training

Those delivering media training need to focus on SMART objectives, which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound.
Graphic for an MHM training tool

Tool: Journalist wellbeing charter

This tool is for newsroom managers to use to protect the psychological wellbeing of staff who encounter trauma and stress.
Graphic for a Media Helping Media course module

Module: Managing People

This free six-week module is designed for senior journalists who are stepping into leadership roles which involve managing teams of people.

Hosted by the Fojo Media Institute

Fojo logoMedia Helping Media is hosted by the Fojo Media Institute at Linnaeus University.

Follow Media Helping Media on Facebook

MHM on FacebookCheck our Facebook page for regular updates from Media Helping Media.

Content released under Creative Commons

Creative Commons logoThe content on Media Helping Media (MHM) is released via Creative Commons BY NC SA 4.0.

© Content on Media Helping Media is released under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0 unless otherwise stated.