Central and Eastern Europe Media Leadership Survey Results

Updated on May 31, 2024,, with survey results.

Along with Boryana Dzhambazova, Cristian Lupsa, and Peter Erdelyi, I have been thinking a lot about how to address some of these challenges. In April, we distributed a survey to media leaders across the region and received more than 60 responses.

Here's what they had to say:

The majority of respondents considered securing continued and diversified funding as the most critical challenge, with many organizations struggling to find additional revenue streams that they consider critical for growth and innovation. “Diversifying the revenue streams," said a respondent from Romania, identifying a key aspiration many shared. “Lack of income security and lack of predictability” are key challenges, said a media manager from Bulgaria.

Many respondents in senior roles say they are confident in their editorial abilities but recognize the need for further organizational knowledge and upskilling. "Lacking the proper knowledge on how things should be done in this age and time," noted a newsroom manager from Romania. “I had no leadership training prior to assuming a leadership position,” said another. 

Staffing issues are a major concern, with many organizations reporting that they are understaffed, which affects operational efficiency. "I must do several jobs instead of one because I don't have enough budget and people available for each position required," noted an executive from Ukraine.

Respondents were excited about using technology to build deeper relationships with their audiences or improve content quality, but many feel they lack an overview of opportunities and aren’t equipped to make the right choices. “Technological development is very fast, and our organization cannot follow it at every step,” argued one newsroom manager. “We haven't even had time and resources to think that far,” said another. "I think I need more technology-oriented skills as a journalist," said a staff reporter from a regional publication.  

Many are upbeat about exploring different ways to build an audience. However, the race for new formats, product launches and platforms was exhausting and unsustainable, many said, and that exhaustion leads to friction in newsrooms. Many expressed frustration in “coping with constant resistance to change'' within newsrooms, in the words of one audience developer/community manager of a newsroom working in Russia and Ukraine.  

In terms of their personal challenges, many respondents pointed to lack of coaching and a greater need for spotting trends and planning ahead, in the words of a media funder from Bulgaria: "Being one step ahead of the trends.” 

Based on our own experiences, scars, and laurels, as well as these survey insights, we are organizing a series of calls on revenue, product, organizational development and mental health in June. to see if there's interest in tackling them in some way or form.