Navigating concurrent crises: A new wave of start-ups in Southeast Asian countries

Karol Anne Ilagan

doi:10.24135/pmm.v1i2.38

Authors

Karol Anne Ilagan University of the Philippines - Diliman

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24135/pmm.v1i2.38

Keywords:

business models, Cambodia, independent journalism, Laos, media start-ups, media sustainability, Myanmar, news start-ups, Philippines, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

Abstract

In several countries across Southeast Asia, news start-ups like Macaranga and The Fourth in Malaysia, FYT Media in the Philippines, Kontinentalist in Singapore, and Mekong Eye covering Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam produce news products that not many traditional news outlets in their respective countries provide. To earn a competitive advantage in an industry upended by the digital shift and changing audience behaviors, these media outlets use and develop ‘valuable’ and ‘rare’ resources to fill in the gaps left by legacy media. However, despite being able to carve their own niche, sustainability that is hinged on diversified and adaptive revenue streams remains an elusive goal for many of these news ventures. This research, based on in-depth interviews with founders and newsroom leaders and secondary documentary research, explores what sustainable funding means for these newsrooms vis-à-vis their positionality in often restricted political contexts. The article concludes with further insights on building an independent and resilient media in Asia.

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Author Biography

Karol Anne Ilagan, University of the Philippines - Diliman

Karol Ilagan is an assistant professor of the Department of Journalism at the University of the Philippines - Diliman. She teaches investigative reporting and data journalism. Her research interests include digital disruption, media sustainability, and journalism innovation. Before joining the academe full time, she led investigations at the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, a Manila-based nonprofit.

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