- Jul 24, 2024
Degrow journalism.
i.
Cross-border reporting networks. Human-centred journalism. Local first. Solutions reporting. User needs models. Impact frameworks. Constructive leadership. Membership tactics. Revenue diversification. Open source technology. Shared infrastructure. Public utility.
These are not new ideas in journalism. But there are a lot of new conversations happening around them, catalysed and carried by exceptional talents. There is a lot of new energy out there.
Because, for the first time, these ideas are aligning.
Welcome to the era of degrowth journalism.
ii.
"Degrowth is an idea that critiques the global capitalist system which pursues growth at all costs, causing human exploitation and environmental destruction. The degrowth movement of activists and researchers advocates for societies that prioritize social and ecological well-being instead of corporate profits, over-production and excess consumption. This requires radical redistribution, reduction in the material size of the global economy, and a shift in common values towards care, solidarity and autonomy. Degrowth means transforming societies to ensure environmental justice and a good life for all within planetary boundaries." [1]
The systemic failure of journalism's social purpose (and the business models that propped that failure up) are documented elsewhere in excruciating detail.
Gone is the future where the relentless pursuit of clicks, ad revenue, and personalised optimisation (AI-powered or not) is the glory of our industry. That world still exists, but it is not journalism. It's an infinite content engine and I want no part of it.
Degrowth journalism is the proven alternative. And it is here to stay. Not merely as a reaction against the excesses of traditional journalism, but as a proactive approach to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and quality-focused information environment.
The organisations that pioneered degrowth journalism, many of whom did not make the journey, are legion. They may not have named it thus, but this is the degrowth journalism they fought to discover.
Quality over quantity
At the heart of degrowth journalism is a commitment to quality over quantity. This approach prioritises in-depth, investigative reporting and slow analysis. It moves away from the incessant churn of superficial content designed to drive traffic. By co-operating with other media organisations and experts, journalists provide citizens and non-citizens with a deeper understanding of issues.
Environmental sustainability
Degrowth journalism emphasises the importance of environmental sustainability within media practices. This includes minimising the carbon footprint of journalistic activities. Reduce unnecessary travel, favour digital formats over print where sensible, and adopt sustainable banking and divestment practices. But, most importantly, prioritise telling the climate story for what it is: an emergency.
Social equity and inclusion
Degrowth journalism commits to social equity and inclusion. It represents diverse voices and perspectives in the media, particularly those of marginalised and underrepresented communities. It seeks to address social injustices and foster a more inclusive public discourse. It makes journalism accessible to all segments of society, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Local first
Degrowth journalism focuses on local issues. By concentrating more on work which directly impacts communities, journalists build stronger connections with people. Local news not only provides relevant and immediate information but also strengthens the fabric of community life by highlighting local solutions, challenges, and opportunities for civic engagement.
Community engagement
Degrowth journalism is characterised by its emphasis on person-to-person engagement. This involves building participatory, trusting relationships with people that go beyond the transactional. Community members question, define, create and contribute to the news agenda. Not only does degrowth journalism foster a sense of shared ownership, it enables it by shifting economic and decision-making power.
Economic resilience
Degrowth journalism deploys alternative funding models that reduce dependence on advertising revenue (or any other single source). These can include membership revenue, events, foundation funding, consultancy services, training, and more. By aligning purpose and profit, diversified models prioritise resilience, self-sufficiency, and adaptability.
Ethical reporting
Finally, degrowth journalism is still journalism. It continues to uphold the highest ethical standards, avoiding sensationalism and ensuring accurate and responsible reporting. This commitment to ethics and radical transparency not only builds public trust but also reinforces the role of journalism as a pillar of democracy and a defender of the truth.
iii.
To repeat: none of these are new ideas. The principles underlying degrowth journalism—quality, sustainability, equity, local, community engagement, economic resilience, and ethical reporting—have been evolving individually for well over a decade, more even.
But they are ideas whose time have come.
For the first time, we are seeing these ideas truly mature and converge. A new wave of journalism organisations and thinkers, unencumbered by definitions and grounded in these values, are following in the footsteps of the pathfinders ahead of them. Brilliant practitioners are experimenting out there, in the wilds, and returning with lessons like handfuls of berries. Journalism support is decentralising into highly-applicable niche expertise and guidance.
The result is a smaller, more intentional journalistic practice, almost atomic in structure, that sees itself as part of a molecular structure, an ecosystem that requires balance.
We're so close to achieving something remarkable. But I see three obstacles.
We don't reward degrowth. We place myriad visionaries and tacticians on pedestals, people who are brave enough to craft plans and execute them. But braver still is to change them, to reverse them, to abandon them. People who understand - often instinctively - when to grow, but more importantly when to slow, are rare beasts. We must reward people for scaling back, for doing just enough, for redistributing their power. Without them, our collective efforts dissolve.
Capital needs to evolve. The movement towards impact investment, ethical capital, and B Corps needs to meet the efforts of degrowth journalism (and vice versa). Because without a redistribution of capital, there can be no redistribution of power. To support degrowth journalism, our financial structures must prioritise long-term sustainability and social impact over short-term profits. This also means more investors. They must be committed to the values of degrowth. They need to step up and create funding mechanisms that support the resilience and adaptability of something radical.
There's simply too much talk. There are too many manifestos like this. Death to inward-facing position papers and empty talking shops and circular conversations! Dialogue is important, but not when it is only amongst ourselves. There's so much more to do. We're running out of time.
It's the era of creators, builders, makers, and doers. Give them the keys and the platforms and the money and the awards. Get off the stage and out of the building. Learn from the people and grassroots movements in community action, local politics, climate activism, and social justice. Abandon assumptions and snark, listen and observe. Start something small, shut it down. Embrace experiments. Share generously. Be vulnerable, celebrate retracement, start something again. This is bigger than journalism. The word degrowth has its roots in the French la décroissance, a term that conjures the idea of a river returning to its flow after a terrible flood. That's what is happening; that's what needs to happen. The flood is receding, the waters are ebbing back, and we can see the landscape once more. We have the maps. We have the boats. We have no excuses.
These are not new ideas. Our time has come.
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