Mediapart

Mediapart is a French online investigative and opinion journal. It was co-founded in 2008 by Edwy Plenel, formerly of Le Monde, and other journalists. Mediapart distinguishes itself by its subscription-based model, refusing advertising or any financial support from governments or corporations to maintain its independence.

Key Features:

• Independent Journalism: Mediapart relies solely on subscriber revenue to fund its operations, allowing it to pursue investigative journalism without external influence.
• Investigative Focus: The publication is known for its in-depth investigations into political and financial affairs, often uncovering scandals and corruption.
• Participatory Platform: Mediapart encourages reader engagement through its "Le Club" platform, where subscribers can contribute to discussions and publish their own articles.
• Editorial Line: While committed to impartiality in its reporting of facts, Mediapart maintains a progressive editorial stance.
• Transparency: Mediapart is transparent about its finances and editorial processes.
• European Scope: While primarily focused on French politics, Mediapart increasingly covers European and international issues.

History:

Mediapart was launched in March 2008. Its creation followed a period of increasing consolidation and commercial pressure within the French media landscape. The founders aimed to create a publication that would prioritize investigative journalism and editorial independence.

Subscription Model:

Mediapart's business model relies entirely on subscriptions, making it a pioneer in paywall-based online journalism in France. This model aims to protect the publication from external influence and ensure its financial stability.

Criticisms:

While praised for its independence and investigative work, Mediapart has also faced criticism, particularly from those targeted by its investigations. Some critics argue that its editorial stance can influence its reporting, while others question the level of transparency in its internal decision-making processes.