This research builds on RNW Media’s 2025 report, Media Viability in an Era of Repression and Resistance, by localising the inquiry through an assessment of regional and country-level realities in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda.
The study focuses on three critical and interconnected dimensions of media viability: income diversification and sustainability, audience engagement and trust, and strategic AI integration and utilised a mixed-methods approach, combining semi-structured interviews with media organisations and industry experts alongside a desk review.
Through five case studies of public interest media organisations including Parliament Watch Uganda; Reach a Hand Uganda & Sauti Plus; Addis Standard; The Elephant; and Africa Uncensored, the report identifies key regional trends, challenges, and opportunities. These case studies highlight organisations making meaningful strides in strengthening media viability, showcasing emerging best practices and offering approaches that may be adapted to similar contexts.
Ultimately, the report amplifies the insights of media organisations and leaders working at the intersection of economic precarity, legal constraints, and digital experimentation. Their experiences demonstrate how trust, creativity, and adaptability can sustain quality, ethical journalism in East Africa, not only as a profession, but as a cornerstone of democracy and access to pluralistic information.
Read the executive summary below and download the full report here.