German media scholar Martin Andree shares a pressing warning about the media: they have only a short window of approximately five years before major American tech giants like Google and Meta seize ful...
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Nienke Venema
managing director Stichting Democratie en Media
Nienke Venema is the managing director of Stichting Democratie en Media (SDM), a foundation dedicated to strengthening democracy and supporting independent journalism. Since 2014, she has overseen the foundation’s role as an idealistic shareholder in De Correspondent and DPG Media, safeguarding the continuity of their high-quality, independent journalism. Under her leadership, the foundation has played a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant and resilient media landscape in the Netherlands, recognizing independent media as a cornerstone of democracy.
Nienke also developed SDM’s grant-making program, which has provided significant funding to initiatives that support independent journalism, foster a more inclusive public debate, advance democratic renewal, and uphold the rule of law. In addition, she serves as Chair of the European Press Prize Board, which recognizes excellence in journalism across Europe. With academic credentials from the University of Cambridge and the University of Amsterdam, her work reflects a steadfast commitment to creating the conditions for democratic values to thrive.
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#IJF25 /
10 april 2025
Democracy defenders: a conversation with funders investing in independent journalism
Media funders have long sought to strengthen democracy through support of journalism. But now, with authoritarian attempts to undermine press freedom on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, journalism fu...
#IJF18 /
13 april 2018
Funders confidential. Leading donors open up on their decision processes to reveal who they fund and why
How do some of the world's most prominent foundations focused on supporting media and journalism make their decisions on who or what to fund? What do they really look for? Which ideas energise them an...
The panel will focus on media ownership, investigating the relationship between quality journalism and independent foundations. The role of foundations regarding quality journalism will be discusse...
Local news in the US and Europe is in crisis. Research in the US, UK, the Netherlands and elsewhere has revealed widespread 'news deserts' or 'dark spots', where citizens have little or no access to l...
#IJF17 /
8 april 2017
Towards a relationship of trust: journalism, philanthropy and newsroom independence
Journalism and philanthropy are in a complicated, interdependent relationship with each other. Media platforms increasingly need foundations to fund beat reporting, investigative journalism and innova...