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 today’s independent media ecosystem, membership programs — distinct from traditional “subscriptions” — and grassroots fundraising campaigns are becoming increasingly relevant, particularly for nonprofit outlets.
The logic behind these models is simple but powerful: if you cultivate a loyal, engaged, and appreciative community, you can invite them to support your work financially.
Among exiled Latin American media outlets, Confidencial (Nicaragua) and El Pitazo (Venezuela) have both tested these approaches, with differing outcomes. Confidencial continues to run its Members and Friends program, while El Pitazo shut down its membership initiative after two years due to poor returns on investment.
The case of El Pitazo: High hopes, harsh realities
In 2022, El Pitazo had reason for optimism. A preliminary survey revealed that over 60% of respondents were willing to contribute financially. The team developed membership tiers, designed exclusive content, and launched the program.
But reality didn’t match expectations. Membership never surpassed 100 people. Moreover, many of those who signed up weren’t interested in receiving perks or participating in the community.
“They would respond to our invitations with things like, ‘It’s fine, I support you [...] but I don’t want to get involved. I’m too busy,’” recalled director César Batiz.
The program also came with hidden costs — time, infrastructure, ongoing communication — that stretched an already limited team. In the context of an impoverished and digitally fragmented Venezuela, the effort far outweighed the income.
In April 2023, El Pitazo made the strategic decision to close the program. Not as a defeat, but as a financially sound choice. “We couldn’t keep pouring energy into something with so little return,” said Batiz. “But I wouldn’t trade what we learned for anything.”
The case of Confidencial: Civic framing, cultural shift
One of the most subtle yet critical challenges Confidencial faced was educating its audience about what membership truly meant. In an environment where most people associate paying for content with commercial subscriptions (like Netflix or Spotify), the outlet had to clearly distinguish its program as something different.
Confidencial’s team communicated consistently: membership was not a paywall or transactional service. Their content would remain free and open. Instead, membership was a voluntary act of civic commitment — a way to defend the collective right to information and support independent journalism under siege.
“Confidencial is an open-access outlet. We don’t have a paywall, because we believe independent journalism is a public good. But building it has a cost. That’s why we invite our readers to help sustain the outlet — as a way to defend their right to know,” reads the public message behind their membership initiative.
While members receive access to newsletters, e-books, or the digital archive as added value, the core message is clear: “You’re not paying to receive something; you’re contributing so something vital can continue to exist.”
Despite the obstacles, the model is bearing fruit. Confidencial has built an active support community, especially within the Nicaraguan diaspora. Membership is not yet the outlet’s primary revenue source, but it has become a symbolic and practical pillar of its independence.
Exile has also forced technical adaptations — processing international payments, providing support across time zones, and navigating varying levels of digital access.
But perhaps the biggest challenge is cultural: reinforcing, again and again, that membership isn’t about exclusivity. It’s about solidarity. That the value lies not in what you receive, but in what you help make possible for others. It’s a long-term form of civic education, and one that requires patience, clarity and consistency.
Photo by Christian Dubovan on Unsplash.
Nieves created this resource as part of his ICFJ Knight Fellowship.