This resource is part of our Exiled Media Toolkit, produced in partnership with the Network of Exiled Media Outlets (NEMO), and with the generous support of the Joyce Barnathan Emergency Fund for Journalists.
In contexts of exile and censorship, several independent media outlets have turned to creating original products — leveraging their brand identity, analytical expertise, or connection to specific audiences. Caracas Chronicles offers two illustrative (and contrasting) paths in this regard: its online store and its Political Risk Report (PRR).
Though born from the same organization, these products reflect two very different approaches. One is rooted in brand culture, the other in specialized knowledge as a high-value service.
The store: Community as brand
At a moment of creative experimentation, Caracas Chronicles launched an online store selling printed products — mainly t-shirts — infused with the outlet’s irreverent political humor and critical spirit. The initiative aimed not only to generate revenue but to materialize its editorial community.
“It was really fun [...] we had shirts with slogans like ‘Socialism left me nothing,’ and that resonated with the audience,” recalled Raúl Stolk, the outlet’s director.
The store attracted readers who didn’t just want to follow the outlet. They wanted to wear it, turn it into a symbol, a conversation piece, an identity. But commercially, the product soon showed its limits. Managing inventory, logistics, customer service, marketing, and design quickly overwhelmed the team’s operational capacity.
“To really make it work, we would’ve needed a dedicated creative and sales team. We didn’t have one, and we couldn’t afford to divert editorial energy toward it.”
Strategic takeaway: Stores can strengthen audience relationships and reinforce brand identity — but without a professional management structure, they’re unlikely to be financially sustainable.
The Political Risk Report: Expertise as a service
Unlike the store, the Political Risk Report (PRR) emerged from a different foundation: deep political analysis as a premium product. Inspired by models like The Economist Intelligence Unit, Caracas Chronicles created a weekly report prepared by a separate team, aimed at international clients seeking insights into Venezuela’s political landscape.
“This product draws on sources from both the opposition and the government [...] it’s an analysis we send to subscribers every week,” explained Stolk.
Soon after launching, the team added specialized reports on Venezuela’s energy market, unlocking a new segment of the audience.
Building these reports brought several key lessons. First, it was essential to form an independent team operating under its own logic — editorially and ethically distinct from the newsroom.
“We had to completely separate the PRR team from the editorial team [...] we operate with a Chinese wall,” emphasized Stolk.
This separation wasn’t just a precaution; it was strategic. It helped preserve the credibility of both units and avoid conflicts of interest. Today, the reports represent a stable revenue stream and have led to a second line of business: custom political consulting for international organizations.
Strategic takeaway: Monetizing deep knowledge of a national or political context is possible — if editorial integrity is protected. Products like the Political Risk Report require structure, methodology, ethical boundaries, and dedicated sales channels. But they can support the production of freely accessible journalism for audiences in the home countries that exiled journalists can no longer reach directly.
Photo by Klára Vernacová on Unsplash.
Nieves created this resource as part of his ICFJ Knight Fellowship.