Building a powerhouse of independent journalism together

Independent journalism as an antidote

Polarisation in society and geopolitical tensions are everywhere. Major public debates are becoming increasingly heated, and many people are experiencing growing uncertainty. This presents opportunities for us as news media. In a world where information is available anytime and anywhere, we have a crucial role in providing nuance, context and reliability.

Our digital lives shape the way we view the world. What we see on our phones influences our thoughts and actions. The battle for access to consumers’ and citizens’ screens is raging worldwide, and the Big Tech players have a massive head start.

User data is the new gold for American and Chinese superpowers, and billions in advertising revenue is funnelled into their social media platforms, driven by impenetrable algorithms. This cements their dominance at the expense of local ecosystems. Add the AI revolution to the mix, and we find ourselves in a perfect storm. Europe recognises the danger, but regulators struggle to keep up.

Being a trusted guide in a world full of change has been our mission for years. In 2025, that change is more profound than ever. But so too is our belief in the importance of independent journalism. It is the ultimate antidote to polarisation and misinformation. We must continue to assume our responsibility, especially when it comes to younger audiences who consume most of their news via social media. It is up to us to remain on their radar and win them over to our journalism.

Tackling challenges together

To continue fulfilling our role, we must constantly innovate and adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape. Collaboration is essential to staying strong and preparing for the future. That is why I see Mediahuis as a powerhouse of independent journalism – a group where we strengthen each other and achieve much more together than we ever could individually.

Our challenges are largely the same across different markets, so we tackle them together while preserving the unique identity of each local brand. Our acquisitions and partnerships in recent years all align with this philosophy. We build strong, distinctive brands that stand for quality and trust. And within our group, we can always rely on each other’s knowledge and experience to address specific challenges.

The strength of our group lies in our combination of technology, expertise and talent. This enables us to maintain a strong market position and remain relevant. For example, we are investing in AI at the group level. While smaller, traditional media brands often lack the resources, as a group we can fully leverage AI’s potential and be at the forefront of innovation. We make technology accessible and widely deployable so that all our national and regional news brands can prepare for a sustainable future.

Additionally, we strengthen each other in the way we bring journalism to our audiences. The shared expertise in how we distribute our stories across digital platforms is invaluable. However, this doesn’t mean a one-size-fits-all approach – we maximize the benefits of scale while safeguarding the unique identity of each of our titles.

Opportunities for growth

With nearly 4,500 employees and operations in several countries, Mediahuis has grown into an international company with strong positions in news media, radio and marketplaces. This international context not only provides economies of scale but also creates opportunities for our employees to grow and develop.

Our strength lies in learning from each other across borders and departments. We bring people together to contribute to the future of our group. We apply this shared knowledge, resources and insights daily to provide our readers, listeners and viewers – young and old – with accurate and reliable information.
As a powerhouse of independent journalism, we will continue building strong news brands that all generations can trust. That is a commitment we make together.