Media Fragmentation Is Here To Stay
How can creators balance credibility, reach, and monetization in a fragmented landscape?
The media world is evolving faster than we can keep up. Audiences are no longer loyal to a few major networks but are spread across streaming services, podcasts, digital outlets, websites, and social media.
Traditional media models are being reshaped with the rise of on-demand content and personalized algorithms. Platforms like Substack empower independent journalists, while YouTube and TikTok continue to redefine video storytelling. The Daily by The New York Times shows how podcasts have become a dominant news medium, while Axios thrives on digital-first reporting. We no longer read or watch the same things collectively. The biggest loss is the impact a story once had.
How can creators balance credibility, reach, and monetization in a fragmented landscape? There are no clear answers—that’s the biggest takeaway from a two-day seminar by the French Media Agency (Qarib program) at the French Institute in Amman. Whether it’s monetizing, marketing content, visualizing stories, or reaching audiences, we’re all still searching for solutions. However, I was inspired by the beautiful content, striking visuals, and rigorous investigations produced by independent media outlets in the region.
This month, I had the opportunity to meet with the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, where we discussed Germany's role in the region, its leadership in supporting Jordan, and the voices often left out from big policy decisions. We also spoke about how shifting dynamics, including the termination of projects by USAID, have already impacted many civil society organizations and media.
In this month’s newsletter, we explore emerging trends, an in-depth feature we published in Lebanon’s Daraj media, and the launch of Fesfori, a new YouTube show.
By the way, did you know reading books is cool (again)? Just when we thought bookshops were dying, Barnes and Noble announced it would open 60 new locations in 2025 in a revival fueled in large part by TikTok's BookTok community.
We’d love to hear from you—just hit the message button below, and we’ll be sure to respond.
Warm wishes,
Rana F. Sweis
Founder, Wishbox Media Company
💡 What we've been up to
🎬 We’re excited to introduce Fesfori, our latest collaboration with CFI, the French public agency supporting media worldwide. This YouTube series, featuring a host and a puppet, tackles critical topics like AI in elections, digital media’s role in politics, and economic challenges, all through humor and engaging storytelling. The goal? To make complex issues more accessible and inspire critical thinking among young and marginalized audiences.
📂 We’ve officially launched our new company portfolio, showcasing our photography, video production, media training, and animation expertise. Check it out here and let us know your thoughts!
🎥 We continue to expand our video production efforts with new uploads on our new YouTube channel, including our first documentary, The Lifelong Battle for Justice, which premiered in Amman at the Rainbow Theatre last November and is now available online. The documentary highlighted the life of human rights advocate and lawyer Asma Khader.
📢 Our team recently attended the Qarib Regional Conference, where we connected with journalists and media professionals from across the region. We had insightful discussions with editors and media managers from Iraq and Lebanon, exploring future collaborations and content opportunities.
🤝 This month, we signed two Memorandums of Understanding.
🤳 Jeel Media: To strengthen our social media management and digital strategy collaboration.
🎬 Moe Studio: To expand our work in commercial content, VFX, and high-end production for TV, film, and advertising.
🕵️ Our latest feature by journalist Hadeel Al Biss explores the alarming rise of online blackmail and cybercrime in Jordan, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and digital security. You can read it here.
🎭 We successfully completed a year-long initiative with the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation, combining puppetry and real-life videography to tackle Jordan's political, social, and cultural issues. This project, which featured the puppet “Sehes” and engaged young audiences through 20 reels and two longer videos, is now available on YouTube.
🗄️ From the archive
🌿 In 2023, we launched a 12-episode Live Talks (Arabic) on Instagram Live, where we spoke to experts in the digital media fields, from social media experts to photographers to cartoonists. This month, we are featuring marketing expert and coach Tarek Samara, who talked about turning passion and hobbies into an online business.
📺 Our media consumption
🎙️ We enjoyed listening to the podcast “Serge & the Westminister Spy Ring,” which uncovers the hidden truths of a Westminster-based spy ring, shedding light on its covert operations. Also, if you haven’t discovered Rabbit Hole, check out what the internet is doing to us. Tech columnist Kevin Roose discovers what happens when our lives move online.
🎥 Honored to have been a student of Phillis Levin. Her new poetry collection, An Anthology of Rain, launches in April 2025 and is available to pre-order now. “A spirit of reciprocity between poet and reader animates this collection, creating what the best poems offer—a thrilling sense of immediacy in the face of flux.”
🛠️ Check out Gamma, an AI-powered presentation tool that simplifies creating professional slides. There’s also Presentations.ai, but both still have limitations—more customization and personalization are needed to truly tailor presentations to individual styles.
⏳ A Quick Note
🐞 We’re taking a short break in March to reset and plan ahead, but we’ll be back in April with more insights, projects, and media highlights. Stay tuned!
📩 Looking for fresh ways to tell your story, produce a video, or design a report? Get in touch, and let’s bring your ideas to life!
Thank you for sharing 🙏🏻