Accessible and unbiased news for the marginalized local communities an d news deserts in Ruse region

The targeted measures to improve the technical conditions of the website www.briag.bg will significantly contribute to increasing the audience in the communities, members of which usually do not actively engage with media content.

The project “Accessible, reliable and unbiased content for the audience of Briag Media Group EOOD in marginalized local communities and news deserts” aims to provide quality media services for the people of the communities who often encounter difficulties in accessing news and information. Specific activities and results: Activity 1: Research and Analysis; Activity 2: Website Platform Improvement; Activity 3: Training and Support for Journalist Staff. The results will be measured by specific metrics - number of readings, engagement, and audience feedback. The project will use digital marketing and Search Engine Optimization to increase the reach of the information to a wider audience. The project’s sustainability will be ensured through: flexible funding, partnerships, audience retention.

Target group

The aim of the project is to improve access to news content of local marginalized communities and news deserts in the region by expanding and tailoring the content of the website www.briag.bg as suitable for this audience.

Goals of the project

The aim of the project is to improve access to news content of local marginalized communities and news deserts in the region by expanding and tailoring the content of the website www.briag.bg as suitable for this audience. The main beneficiaries of the project will be:

• Local communities: until now, marginalized areas and news deserts in the region have not had the opportunity to receive timely, reliable and region that have not had the opportunity to receive timely, reliable and unbiased information. Thanks to this project, these communities will gain access to reliable information related to their environment; and will become better informed about current events and issues in their area.
• Media users: The project will be a win for the audience of the website www.briag.bg as a whole, because the information that reaches it will be enriched with news about the local communities and news deserts that have not come to its attention so far.
• The Journalists: The project will help our journalists to gain new knowledge on content creation and Search Engine Optimization, sharing news on social networks, etc., aimed at readers from local communities and news deserts.
• The Democratic Process: In the end, democracy will win. Because greater awareness of unreached or under-reported local social groups will improve their participation in the democratic process, making them more informed and active citizens.

Implemented activities 

• Activity 1: Research and Analysis
• Activity 2: Website Platform Improvement
• Activity 3: Training and support for the journalistic staff

Impact addressing news deserts

They have succeeded in increasing the interest of readers from several communities residing in news deserts across Ruse region, as elaborated in the final report. Not only did they start reading their publications more and watching our new podcast, they have also been actively engaging Briag Media with their stories, and some of them were found to be quite interesting also for the urban readers from Ruse. The communities from news deserts in Ruse region started to read media more, some of them for the first time. They also now have a voice, as they are able to actively participate in the editorial process by submitting their stories. This is made very easy through the improved version of the website, so everybody can send an idea, comment, or story, anytime they want. Urban readers from Ruse have also benefited, as the content was enriched with stories from marginalized communities which are actually very valuable culturally and there has been a gap in this aspect previously.