A decade of research by the Reuters Institute has documented a decline in interest in news and a rise in news fatigue—particularly among younger individuals without a university education. According to the researchers, this trend is "compounding already-existing information inequalities." Merely being present on social media platforms is no longer sufficient, as algorithmic filtering often dictates which content reaches which users.
MO* is a publication that focuses on global issues and their connection to local realities, with a particular emphasis on underrepresented voices, both internationally and within Belgium. The editorial approach is in-depth, embracing complexity and nuance—traits that are often difficult to adapt into short-form, multimedia content. However, MO* is committed to open access and does not operate behind a paywall, believing that access to accurate information is a fundamental right. Despite this, MO* remains less well known among audiences that arguably need free and reliable information the most—such as the target group of this project.
Through this project, MO* aims to engage younger, less formally educated audiences with tailored multimedia formats that match their interests and information habits, while remaining consistent with the outlet’s editorial mission. The content will be distributed on platforms and apps where this group is active, using formats and language that are accessible and relatable to them.
The project will:
- Research which themes within MO's editorial focus—such as globalisation, human rights, and climate—are most relevant and engaging for the target audience, particularly in video format;
- Hire a video journalist with a strong connection to, or understanding of, the target demographic;
- Build a community of young people from the target group and involve them in the editorial and production process, ensuring that content is co-created rather than top-down.
Wereldmediahuis vzw is a non-profit media organisation and publisher based in Belgium. It was established in 2002 through the merger of two magazines produced by Belgium’s two largest non-profit development organisations.
Over the past two decades, MO.be and MOMagazine*—the two publications of Wereldmediahuis—have become highly regarded within Flanders and across the Dutch-speaking world. The organisation’s journalistic expertise on global issues is widely respected within the Belgian media landscape.
Goals (Expected) of the Project
- To gain deeper insight into how, when, and where the target group wants to engage with news content;
- To produce multimedia content based on the questions, concerns, and lived experiences of the target audience, rather than solely on editorial priorities;
- To inform and empower the target audience to make well-informed decisions on global and social issues that affect their futures;
- To build on an existing youth committee and extend outreach to a more difficult-to-reach group;
- To improve media literacy among young people who do not consume traditional news, making them less vulnerable to fake news and political manipulation;
- To establish a stronger presence on platforms dominated by entertainment and influencers, offering a fact-based counterbalance;
- To provide accessible, trustworthy information that benefits both the individuals within the target group and society at large;
- To generate insights on audience engagement that can be shared with other organisations facing similar challenges;
- To strengthen understanding of global-local interconnections and how international news relates to the Flemish context;
- To rebuild trust in journalism and the media among young, disillusioned audiences;
- To diversify and expand MO’s audience and community of supporters—financially and in other meaningful ways;
- To enhance storytelling formats and diversify the organisation’s media output to better meet the needs of a broader audience.
