Measuring Outcomes of Impact Investing in Independent Media: Developing a Media Impact Index

Freedom of the press is regarded as an indicator of good governance and strong societies.  Media Development Investment Fund is a New-York based not-for-profit organization that provides affordable financing and business assistance to independent news outlets in countries with a history of media oppression helping them to become financially sustainable. They invest in outlets that provide the news, information and debate that people need to build free, thriving societies. The SIPA team was asked to conduct an evaluation to determine how to identify and measure the impact of independent media organizations on their communities. The team developed a toolkit that could be implemented globally and across diverse media types such as television, radio, digital media, and print media. The team studied El Periódico, a long-term client of MDIF in Guatemala, to pilot their Media Impact Toolkit.