2023-07-31

DAUGAVPLIS - The project centers on Chayka, the premier independent Russian-language news source in Daugavpils, Latvia. We aim to enhance its local journalism capabilities and financial stability by launching a creative studio for diversified revenue, and expanding news coverage in the underreported Latgale region. This initiative primarily benefits the Russian-speaking population, who often feel disconnected from Latvia's central government and the rest of the nation, providing them with trustworthy, inclusive, and relevant news content.

Chayka is the sole independent Russian-language news source in Daugavpils, a largely Russian-speaking city near Latvia’s border with Belarus. It has become a trusted go-to place for the city’s residents, who often feel disconnected from decision-makers in Riga, while also covering sensitive issues – like LGBT+ rights and Russia’s war in Ukraine – that other outlets ignore or distort. Chayka will embark on two complementary projects: 

  • Harnessing Chayka’s storytelling skills to launch a profitable creative studio, delivering native advertising and creative assets to clients across Latvia, diversifying Chayka’s revenues and supporting the outlet’s journalistic activities; 
  • Expanding news coverage into the wider Latgale region, an area underserved by both national and local media.

Target group

Chayka serves a population that often reports feeling disconnected from the central government and the rest of Latvia. In polling, Russian-speakers (96% of whom consume news in Russian, and who make up around 80% of Latgale have also expressed high levels of distrust in independent media, with a significant percentage either trusting Kremlin-aligned outlets more, or trusting neither Kremlin-aligned nor independent outlets.

Goals of the project

The project aims to augment access to distinctive content for Russian-speaking audiences in Latgale and across Latvia. This content will concentrate on the region's culture, history, language, and travel, addressing the current deficiency in the media landscape. By delivering relevant, timely, and engaging news stories, we intend to nurture more informed communities in Latgale. Our efforts will also serve to give the Latgale communities a national platform for their voices, easing their feelings of disconnection from the rest of Latvia and decision-making processes.

Further, the project targets the establishment of a profitable creative studio to diversify Chayka's revenue sources. This step will not only bolster Chayka's business model but also ensure its long-term commercial sustainability. With the generation of higher revenues, we plan to invest further in supporting and expanding Chayka's independent, Russian-language content about Daugavpils and Latgale, equipping audiences with essential information and diverse perspectives.

Implemented activities

With the funding, Chayka implemented several concrete activities.

  1. Launch of Creative Studio:
  • Team recruitment: hired sales managers and creative content makers.
  • Workshops and training: conducted workshops with experts from top creative studios.
  • Legal and operational setup: consulted a legal advisor for contracts and regulations, and selected a CRM system for efficient operations.
  • Content production: started producing content for clients,creating a revenue stream to support the newsroom.

2. Expansion of news coverage in Latgale:

  • Hiring a journalist: employed a journalist focused on reporting local stories in Latgale.
  • Content planning and distribution: developed a detailed content plan for web and social media dissemination, including trips to various locations in Latgale for comprehensive coverage. 
  • Community engagement: increased involvement with the local community to ensure relevant and impactful news reporting.
  • These activities were aimed at enhancing the reach, quality, and sustainability of independent journalism for the Russian-speaking community in Latgale.

Impact addressing news deserts

Chayka's project significantly mitigated the news desert phenomenon in Latgale by expanding independent news coverage, hiring a dedicated journalist for local reporting, and providing accurate, unbiased information. This effort ensured the Russian-speaking community had access to relevant news, reduced misinformation, and fostered a well-informed public. The establishment of a creative studio further supported the financial sustainability of these journalistic activities, ensuring ongoing coverage and continued engagement with underserved areas. Overall, the project effectively filled the news gap and revitalized local journalism in the region.

 

Media

Chayka

Chayka, legally known as CHAYKA.LV and operating under the business name DAmedia, is a non-profit society (Biedrība) registered in Daugavpils, Latvia.

Chayka
Supported
€35.260 allocated on 27/06/2023
ID
MD/2023/038

WEBSITE 

Chayka.lv

SOCIAL MEDIA 

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