Launch of the Content Innovation Fund
Partnering with ICFJ to empower freelancers and content creators to bring their ideas to life.
As newspapers and news outlets continue to experience financial hardships, freelance and independent journalism becomes as important as ever. In this New York Times article, for example, a former NPR executive and co-founder of the audio production company Magnificent Noise says that public radio has five to seven years to reimagine itself before it’s simply unsustainable.
As traditional news organizations restructure and lay off staff, many journalists, equipped with impeccable skills, are constantly on the hunt for stories to tell. While they have the required experience, many lack the financial resources and support to embark on a reporting project. Today, narratives aren't confined to traditional formats; they can embrace multimedia and social media platforms for storytelling.
Hence, independent funding for journalists is a necessity. More needs to be done to support the practice of storytelling that leaves an impact. That’s why we have partnered with the International Center for Journalists to create a Content Innovation Fund. For the initial stage of our vision for this fund, we extend this collaboration to Jordanian residents, encompassing refugees, women, and young professionals.
Time is running out, with the application deadline set is April 30. If you're in Jordan or know content creators and freelancers there, please spread the word about this opportunity within your networks.
We've been actively expanding our social media team and generating content at Wishbox Media, including for the Qarib program and other projects. Additionally, like everyone else, we're closely monitoring news developments in the region.
Best wishes,
Rana F. Sweis
Founder, Wishbox Media Company
💡 What we’ve been up to
📄 We supported the publication of a long-form story by journalist Heba Obeidat in collaboration with Qarib media. The immersive feature focuses on political parties and youth in Jordan. It’s available in Arabic on AmmanNet and blends audio, text, and infographics.
📲 To promote the feature story, we not only conducted a social media campaign but also hosted a live talk in which journalist Heba Obeidat, spoke to moderator Basant Zaidan on the shocking status focusing on political parties and the youth in Jordan.
🤝 We've signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Amman Comedy Club, where we'll mutually offer support and opportunities for both our organizations.
👩🏻💻 The Content Innovation Fund, a unique initiative in collaboration with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) was launched this month. This opportunity is open to residents of Jordan 🇯🇴, including refugees, women, and young professionals. Deadline to Apply: April 30, 2024 ⏱️
🎉 Welcome aboard, Basant Ziedan, and Abeer Abu Touq: Meet Basant and Abeer, the newest members of our social media team. They bring a wealth of creativity and expertise to our projects. Welcome to the team!
🌠 We had a productive meeting with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation at our office, where we discussed an upcoming project with our partners and artists.
🗓️ Upcoming event: Join us at the Jordan University job fair where we will be scouting for fresh talents and promoting Wishbox Media services. Stay tuned for details!
🗄️ From the archive
🎙️ We recorded a podcast about a group of female entrepreneurs who found themselves in dire financial trouble after taking small loans to support their businesses. You can listen to the podcast here.
📺 Our media consumption
🎞️ We’re currently paying attention to former MSNBC reporter Mehdi Hasan’s new venture, Zeteo, which includes his own show, Mehdi Unfiltered. His first episode featured interviews with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and former Trump White House official Anthony Scaramucci.
🦈 We have been impressed by the Shark Tank-style investment podcast, The Pitch, which, after being reacquired from Spotify-owned Gimlet Media by hosts Josh and Lisa Muccio, has successfully secured $2.4 million in investments this season, primarily benefiting founders from underrepresented communities. Their newfound independence has allowed for greater flexibility and the creation of a pitch fund that quickly raised $1.2 million from its audience.
📉 We have been following reports indicating that the publication The Intercept is facing significant financial challenges, losing approximately $300,000 a month and could be out of cash by May 2025. According to internal data obtained by Semafor, the outlet might see its balance dip below $1 million by November if these trends continue. Ouch!
📸 We are intrigued by renowned Canadian photographer Edward Burtynsky's most extensive exhibition, "Extraction/Abstraction," which is captivating audiences across two vast floors at London's Saatchi Gallery. Featuring 94 of his large-format photographs and an augmented reality experience, this showcase highlights the profound impact of human activities on the planet through themes like Agriculture, Extraction, and Waste