Mediapart

What is Mediapart?

Mediapart is an independent French online newspaper founded in 2008 by Edwy Plenel, former editor-in-chief of Le Monde, along with a team of journalists. Known for its focus on investigative journalism, Mediapart regularly publishes stories on political corruption, financial misconduct, human rights violations, environmental issues, and other pressing topics.

Model and Core Principles

Subscription-based, ad-free model. Mediapart does not run ads or accept corporate partnerships. Its revenue comes entirely from reader subscriptions, ensuring financial independence.

Two main sections: “Le Journal” and “Le Club.” Le Journal is written by the newsroom’s professional journalists, while Le Club gives subscribers the opportunity to share their own articles and participate in discussions.

Editorial independence. Since 2018, Mediapart has been owned by the Fond pour une Presse Libre (Fund for a Free Press), a structure designed to protect the outlet from external financial and political pressures.

Major Investigations and Impact

Mediapart has gained recognition for breaking high-profile political scandals that sparked real-world consequences:

Bettencourt–Woerth Affair (2010): Published recordings that revealed conflicts of interest involving government officials and business elites, boosting Mediapart’s visibility and subscriptions.

Cahuzac Affair (2012): Exposed the French Budget Minister’s secret offshore bank account, leading to his resignation and criminal charges.

Benalla Affair (2019): Released audio evidence implicating political figures, which triggered attempted raids on Mediapart’s offices and widespread support from press freedom advocates.

Through these and other investigations, Mediapart has influenced policy changes, court cases, and public accountability in France.

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