The State of Media Development 2026: Funding, local ownership and adaptation in international media development
New
Bonn: Deutsche Welle DW Akademie (2026), 85 pp.
Contains bibliogr. pp. 82-84, acronyms p. 85
"With resources drying up, not least because the U.S. administration has pulled the plug on international development funding, a rise in authoritarianism and another large-scale tech reset looming with AI, media development organizations are struggling to meet the challenges. According to data collected in 2026 for the report, only 11 percent of organizations surveyed have sufficient funding to meaningfully support public interest media and the information environment. Many governments are imposing legal barriers for support and putting media under pressure, resulting in a high demand for digital safety measures. Media development organizations have been able to adapt to this need, with over 60 percent offering digital security support. One field that unsettles both media outlets and media developers is AI. While capacity building is needed, organizations also stress the need to engage with Big Tech to ensure fair use of their reliable public interest content.
But there are signs of hope. 71 percent of the organizations surveyed are convinced that they are successfully adapting to the shifting landscape. Some philanthropic foundations are stepping in to fill some of the funding gaps and dynamic initiatives like M20 and CTRL+J are driven strongly by Global Majority actors. The sector has understood that hyper-competition will not save it. Rather, closer co-operation seems to be the key. "If we adopt a short-term competition approach, I think we will all lose", said one respondent. "So, we all need to reinvent ourselves. And make sure that the priority is the best way to defend, protect and promote the values that got us into this sector."The State of Media Development Report 2026 focuses on three themes: Funding, local ownership and adaptation. Guiding questions include: How has the funding situation for media development organizations developed? What are gaps and good practices in advancing equitable relationships between various actors in media development practice? What kind of adaptation is required of media development organizations in view of changes in the media and information ecosystem?" (https://akademie.dw.com)
But there are signs of hope. 71 percent of the organizations surveyed are convinced that they are successfully adapting to the shifting landscape. Some philanthropic foundations are stepping in to fill some of the funding gaps and dynamic initiatives like M20 and CTRL+J are driven strongly by Global Majority actors. The sector has understood that hyper-competition will not save it. Rather, closer co-operation seems to be the key. "If we adopt a short-term competition approach, I think we will all lose", said one respondent. "So, we all need to reinvent ourselves. And make sure that the priority is the best way to defend, protect and promote the values that got us into this sector."The State of Media Development Report 2026 focuses on three themes: Funding, local ownership and adaptation. Guiding questions include: How has the funding situation for media development organizations developed? What are gaps and good practices in advancing equitable relationships between various actors in media development practice? What kind of adaptation is required of media development organizations in view of changes in the media and information ecosystem?" (https://akademie.dw.com)
"77 organizations (16 international, 21 regional and 40 national/ local organizations) took part in a global survey. Additionally, key informant interviews were conducted with 76 individuals who work in the sector. Interviewees included representatives of organizations based in countries across the globe as well as non-affiliated consultants with a good overview of the sector. Further details on the methodology can be found in the report's annex. The empirical base was laid between November 2025 and February 2026." (https://akademie.dw.com)
Introduction and overview, 12
1 Funding: Where the media development sector stands financially, 14
2 Local ownership: How local ownership in media development is working in practice, 32
3 Adaptation: How media development organizations are coming to terms with the changing media and information environment, 52
Conclusion, 72
Recommendations at a glance, 74
Annex, 78
1 Funding: Where the media development sector stands financially, 14
2 Local ownership: How local ownership in media development is working in practice, 32
3 Adaptation: How media development organizations are coming to terms with the changing media and information environment, 52
Conclusion, 72
Recommendations at a glance, 74
Annex, 78
