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Learn more about Epure’s experience in the full article 👇.

She's committed to media management: "I would like to stay on this path because I understand that there are systemic problems in the way journalism is financed in Europe. I think that I can have a more valuable contribution in this side than I could ever have as a reporter.".

To enhance her leadership capabilities, Epure actively sought management training through specialised programs, free classes, and industry conferences and workshops.

Her freelance background provided crucial management preparation: "As a freelancer, you really understand the value of your work. The important thing is what you are delivering, which is what value you are bringing.".

The transition to leadership, while natural, came with emotional challenges: "I felt very sad in a way, because I have been a reporter for many years… It just felt like I was giving up something that was making me me.".

Her experience as a freelancer proved invaluable: "Being a freelancer in Eastern Europe means that you have to know how to do everything." This versatility equipped her with diverse skills across multiple media formats.

"Living in the UK and doing my master's there was what changed my mindset from, 'Okay, I want to work for somebody' to 'I want to work for myself,'" Epure shares about her entrepreneurial journey.

PressOne's revenue model shows encouraging evolution, with grant dependency decreasing from 60% to 54% between 2023 and 2024, reflecting a strategic shift toward diversified income streams.

The organisation employs a lightweight "astronaut" management structure with three key leaders: the publisher handling grants, Epure as editorial director focusing on commercial and communications, and the editor-in-chief managing editorial content.

PressOne, nearing its tenth anniversary, is an independent Romanian media outlet emphasizing "perspectives, not noise." It operates via three platforms: a website for long-form journalism, a popular daily newsletter, and social media channels targeting younger audiences.

Ioana Epure's journey from reporter to Editorial Director at @PressOneRomania demonstrates how diverse experience can prepare journalists for leadership roles. "It was a position that became necessary in our outlet. It gave birth to itself," she explains.

New from The Fix: Meta’s news ban in Canada is two years old. How have publishers adapted – and has the public even noticed?.

Since the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan has plummeted in press freedom rankings, becoming one of the most dangerous places for journalists. Many outlets closed, but a resilient community of Afghan journalists continues their vital work from exile. #ICYMI.

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For more background on @KyivIndependent, read The Fix’s interview with COO @ZakharProtsiuk that we published in April.

One interesting point: while connecting the newsroom and members is an important part of membership strategy, fostering horizontal connections between members is perhaps even more important.

The Kyiv Independent became the first Ukrainian digital media – and one of the few in Eastern Europe – to reach 20K paying members. Our colleagues at @NiemanLab report on how “a month-long multi-country campaign” helped the publisher reach this milestone.

Women journalists in the Balkans face daily threats, sexist insults, and both verbal and physical attacks, most of which go unpunished. Some of them live under constant, 24-hour police protection. Despite it all, they continue doing their work.