News Product Resource Library

Learn how to align business, technology, audience and editorial needs in media with over 200 free resources curated by our community of experts.

The Resource Library was developed in partnership with the Google News Initiative, as part of our shared goal of empowering news product professionals and developing news product talent to create ethical and sustainable digital media businesses around the world.

Resources

Optimizing the News Tech Stack: A Holistic Framework for Technology Decisions in News Media Organizations
Recommended on the NPA Slack
NPA Original Content

In this guide, you will find a framework that aims to guide small to medium organizations on how to make technology decisions strategically and better comprehend the impact of technology within their news organizations. This framework encourages holistic decision-making, as it is essential to understand your organization's unique needs, goals, and mission. By doing so, you're poised to make informed trade-offs and embrace technology that genuinely aligns with your growth ambitions.

Feli Carrique

09/19/2023

  • Author: Feli Carrique
  • Date: 09/19/2023
  • Reading time: From 21 to 40 minutes
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Optimizing the News Tech Stack: A Holistic Framework for Technology Decisions in News Media Organizations
NPA Original Content
Recommended on the NPA Slack

In this guide, you will find a framework that aims to guide small to medium organizations on how to make technology decisions strategically and better comprehend the impact of technology within their news organizations. This framework encourages holistic decision-making, as it is essential to understand your organization's unique needs, goals, and mission. By doing so, you're poised to make informed trade-offs and embrace technology that genuinely aligns with your growth ambitions.
  • Author: Feli Carrique
  • Date: 09/19/2023
  • Reading time: From 21 to 40 minutes
  • Source: News Product Alliance
  • Scale: International
  • Level of complexity: Intermediate
  • Type: Guide
  • Theme: Technology
  • Language: English
  •  
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Meedan: Fighting misinformation through a Theory of Change
NPA Original Content

Meedan is a tech nonprofit that builds software with a mission to fight online misinformation and build a ‘more equitable’ internet. Although it has enjoyed national and international recognition for over 15 years, Meedan has been doubly challenged: as a growing nonprofit operating adjacent to news media and technology companies and amid a constantly changing climate for misinformation, grassroots journalism, and media funding. This case study explores how Meedan handles challenges related to its unique position in the market — as neither a media company nor a platform — but as a nonprofit that uses a “Theory of Change” approach to underpin its software solutions, integrate its programs, and better serve audiences.

John Mills

08/04/2023

  • Author: John Mills
  • Date: 08/04/2023
  • Reading time: From 6 to 10 minutes
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Meedan: Fighting misinformation through a Theory of Change
NPA Original Content

Meedan is a tech nonprofit that builds software with a mission to fight online misinformation and build a ‘more equitable’ internet. Although it has enjoyed national and international recognition for over 15 years, Meedan has been doubly challenged: as a growing nonprofit operating adjacent to news media and technology companies and amid a constantly changing climate for misinformation, grassroots journalism, and media funding. This case study explores how Meedan handles challenges related to its unique position in the market — as neither a media company nor a platform — but as a nonprofit that uses a “Theory of Change” approach to underpin its software solutions, integrate its programs, and better serve audiences.
  • Author: John Mills
  • Date: 08/04/2023
  • Reading time: From 6 to 10 minutes
  • Source: News Product Alliance
  • Scale: International
  • Level of complexity: Intermediate
  • Type: Case study
  • Theme: Product Strategy
  • Language: English
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Texas Tribune and the Analytics Hub
NPA Original Content

Since its launch in 2009, The Texas Tribune has emphasized data in reporting. The nonprofit news site’s inventive use of charts, graphs, and maps in stories, and its searchable databases of public information, are considered pioneering in data journalism. This case study examines how the Tribune’s organizational structure and culture drove the outlet to develop and implement a centralized data warehouse system, named the Analytics Hub, which compiles user information across the Tribune’s product portfolio. We will look at the challenges throughout the process as well.

Cindy Royal

08/04/2023

  • Author: Cindy Royal
  • Date: 08/04/2023
  • Reading time: From 6 to 10 minutes
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Texas Tribune and the Analytics Hub
NPA Original Content

Since its launch in 2009, The Texas Tribune has emphasized data in reporting. The nonprofit news site’s inventive use of charts, graphs, and maps in stories, and its searchable databases of public information, are considered pioneering in data journalism. This case study examines how the Tribune’s organizational structure and culture drove the outlet to develop and implement a centralized data warehouse system, named the Analytics Hub, which compiles user information across the Tribune’s product portfolio. We will look at the challenges throughout the process as well.
  • Author: Cindy Royal
  • Date: 08/04/2023
  • Reading time: From 6 to 10 minutes
  • Source: News Product Alliance
  • Scale: International
  • Level of complexity: Intermediate
  • Type: Case study
  • Theme: Product Strategy
  • Language: English
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How Documented incorporated audience needs into product research
NPA Original Content

The Documented team was doing stellar work with the mission of breaking the cycle of extractive reporting on immigration, but they knew they wouldn’t be effective if their target audience wasn’t reading their work. This case study explores how Documented approached user research to understand the needs of its audience and ensure that their mission-critical work was designed to serve New York City immigrants, not just report about them.

Ankita Mukhopadhyay

08/04/2023

  • Author: Ankita Mukhopadhyay
  • Date: 08/04/2023
  • Reading time: From 6 to 10 minutes
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How Documented incorporated audience needs into product research
NPA Original Content

The Documented team was doing stellar work with the mission of breaking the cycle of extractive reporting on immigration, but they knew they wouldn’t be effective if their target audience wasn’t reading their work. This case study explores how Documented approached user research to understand the needs of its audience and ensure that their mission-critical work was designed to serve New York City immigrants, not just report about them.
  • Author: Ankita Mukhopadhyay
  • Date: 08/04/2023
  • Reading time: From 6 to 10 minutes
  • Source: News Product Alliance
  • Scale: International
  • Level of complexity: Intermediate
  • Type: Case study
  • Theme: Audience Engagement & Listening
  • Language: English
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A Lookback at The Atlantic’s Paywall Launch
NPA Original Content

The Atlantic implemented its first metered paywall in 2019, which has evolved since then to become a more dynamic and responsive product. This endeavor required a comprehensive, cross-functional approach involving design, product, engineering, and customer support teams. The Atlantic's journey provides an informative exploration into the design philosophy, technical challenges, project timelines, quality assurance strategies, and future plans related to implementing a paywall. Launching the paywall in 2019 required a comprehensive, cross-functional approach involving design, product, engineering, and customer support teams. This case study aims to provide an overview of how The Atlantic initially launched its paywall, maintaining a user-centric approach while achieving business objectives.

Adriana Lacy

08/04/2023

  • Author: Adriana Lacy
  • Date: 08/04/2023
  • Reading time: From 6 to 10 minutes
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A Lookback at The Atlantic’s Paywall Launch
NPA Original Content

The Atlantic implemented its first metered paywall in 2019, which has evolved since then to become a more dynamic and responsive product. This endeavor required a comprehensive, cross-functional approach involving design, product, engineering, and customer support teams. The Atlantic's journey provides an informative exploration into the design philosophy, technical challenges, project timelines, quality assurance strategies, and future plans related to implementing a paywall. Launching the paywall in 2019 required a comprehensive, cross-functional approach involving design, product, engineering, and customer support teams. This case study aims to provide an overview of how The Atlantic initially launched its paywall, maintaining a user-centric approach while achieving business objectives.
  • Author: Adriana Lacy
  • Date: 08/04/2023
  • Reading time: From 6 to 10 minutes
  • Source: News Product Alliance
  • Scale: International
  • Level of complexity: Intermediate
  • Type: Case study
  • Theme: Business Models & Monetization
  • Language: English
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The tough stuff we don’t talk about enough when working with friends
Recommended on the NPA Slack

The article discusses the challenges that can arise when working with friends and provides tips on how to navigate those difficulties. The author emphasizes that while working with friends can be rewarding, it can also strain the relationship if not handled properly. The article offers advice on setting clear boundaries, open communication, and conflict resolution, stressing the importance of maintaining professionalism and separate personal and professional lives. Overall, it provides valuable insights for anyone working with friends to ensure a healthy and successful work dynamic.

Emily Goligoski

08/01/2023

  • Author: Emily Goligoski
  • Date: 08/01/2023
  • Reading time: From 6 to 10 minutes
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The tough stuff we don’t talk about enough when working with friends
Recommended on the NPA Slack

The article discusses the challenges that can arise when working with friends and provides tips on how to navigate those difficulties. The author emphasizes that while working with friends can be rewarding, it can also strain the relationship if not handled properly. The article offers advice on setting clear boundaries, open communication, and conflict resolution, stressing the importance of maintaining professionalism and separate personal and professional lives. Overall, it provides valuable insights for anyone working with friends to ensure a healthy and successful work dynamic.
  • Author: Emily Goligoski
  • Date: 08/01/2023
  • Reading time: From 6 to 10 minutes
  • Source: www.charterworks.com
  • Scale: N/A
  • Level of complexity: Intermediate
  • Type: Article
  • Theme: Leadership & People Management
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Learning Paths

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1 - What is news product thinking?

Product management emerged in tech companies to put the audience — or the customer — at the center of decision making. In news organizations there are different kinds of end users: audience segments, advertisers, partners or even coworkers that use a tool or software we are developing. Newsrooms must connect their audience's needs to their editorial mission and develop a sustainable business strategy, while maintaining journalistic ethical standards. Product thinkers create a bridge so that revenue and editorial teams can align their interests. This learning path will help you to better understand what news product thinking is, and how you can get started.

1 - What is news product thinking?

Product management emerged in tech companies to put the audience — or the customer — at the center of decision making. In news organizations there are different kinds of end users: audience segments, advertisers, partners or even coworkers that use a tool or software we are developing. Newsrooms must connect their audience's needs to their editorial mission and develop a sustainable business strategy, while maintaining journalistic ethical standards. Product thinkers create a bridge so that revenue and editorial teams can align their interests. This learning path will help you to better understand what news product thinking is, and how you can get started.

  • Type: Article
  • Theme:
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2 - How to lead effective news product teams

Leading teams is always a challenge. It's hard to get everyone on the same page with the same priorities. It’s harder still to get aligned on the vision of the product you're trying to build. This becomes even more important as we deal with decentralized, multidisciplinary teams and diverse stakeholders in our ever-changing industry. The resources gathered here will help you learn how to become a more effective leader in the news product ecosystem.

2 - How to lead effective news product teams

Leading teams is always a challenge. It's hard to get everyone on the same page with the same priorities. It’s harder still to get aligned on the vision of the product you're trying to build. This becomes even more important as we deal with decentralized, multidisciplinary teams and diverse stakeholders in our ever-changing industry. The resources gathered here will help you learn how to become a more effective leader in the news product ecosystem.

  • Type: Article
  • Theme:
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3 - How to conduct audience or user research for news products

Understanding the end user is not only an important pillar of inclusive and ethical news products, it can also be good for business too. However, there’s an overwhelming number of methods, metrics, and frameworks for product management, not all of which are relevant to your project. How can you better understand your users in order to build valuable news products? The learning resources gathered in this path will help with that.

3 - How to conduct audience or user research for news products

Understanding the end user is not only an important pillar of inclusive and ethical news products, it can also be good for business too. However, there’s an overwhelming number of methods, metrics, and frameworks for product management, not all of which are relevant to your project. How can you better understand your users in order to build valuable news products? The learning resources gathered in this path will help with that.

  • Type: Article
  • Theme:
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