New media
As in the developed world, media businesses in transitional countries must embrace developments in technology and changing customer demands if they are to survive. From interactive news services to making the transition from legacy to digital media, MDLF provides clients with strategic advice on some of the key challenges facing news businesses worldwide, helping them to seize local first-mover advantage.
In March 2012, we launched Digital News Ventures, an early-stage fund for digital news and information businesses. Digital News Ventures provides early-stage equity finance from $30,000 to $300,000 to entrepreneurs whose ideas can be used to provide news and information that is important to open societies or can help develop financially sustainable news businesses.
MDLF recognized the importance of technology to media as long ago as 1998 when it founded the Center for Advanced Media-Prague (CAMP). CAMP provided technology support to independent media in developing countries and developed open-source software solutions under the Campware brand. In May 2010, MDLF spun off CAMP as an independent organization, Sourcefabric, which continues to provide valuable support to news outlets in the majority world seeking to get the most out of technology.
MDLF continues to provide financial support directly to technology-driven media projects through a designated New Media Fund, and supports all clients by hosting regular meetings introducing them to the latest developments and trends in media technology and consumption.
Invest in press freedom
It's easy to invest in MDLF's work, providing independent news businesses with the financing they need to hold governments to account, expose corruption and fight for justice for all.
Track record
From 1996 to December 31, 2011, MDLF provided $113.3 million in affordable financing, including:
· $98.9 million in loans and equity investments;
· $13.9 million in technical assistance and other grants;
· Earned over $36.4 million in interest, dividends and capital gains;
· Collected more than $50.8 million in recovered principal invested;
· $0.5 million through Digital Kiosk, the secure payment service for independent media;
It has written off only 1.91% of the total loaned and invested.
MDLF has returned more than $16.8 million to investors. It ended December 2011 with a portfolio of $40.7 million in outstanding loans and investments.
