Desafios do jornalismo de causas: um recorte do jornalismo independente na região nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

This study consists of a research about the main challenges faced by cause journalism initiatives in the Northeast region of Brazil, a specific branch of independent journalism that operates with territorial engagement and a commitment to social, environmental, and human rights agendas. The general objective is to analyze these experiences in light of their structural, financial, and operational obstacles, as well as to understand their strategies for action, networking, and sustainability. The theoretical framework is based on authors such as Érik Neveu, Dênis de Moraes, Nilson Lage, and Philip Meyer, along with updated data from the 2024 Digital News Report (Reuters Institute) and the Independent Journalism Map. The methodology is qualitative and includes mapping public data, document analysis, and conducting semi-structured interviews with journalists from outlets and collectives such as Marco Zero Conteúdo, Agência Saiba Mais, Coletivo Sargento Perifa, and Olhos Jornalismo. The results indicate that financial sustainability is a central challenge, but other difficulties — such as lack of personnel, institutional articulation problems, and limited audience reach — also significantly affect these initiatives. On the other hand, strategies such as network collaboration, crowdfunding, and territorial rootedness have proven effective in ensuring the survival and, in some cases, the growth of these media outlets. The research highlights the importance of public policies that support media plurality and the recognition of cause journalism as a tool for social transformation. This study aims to shed light on the dynamics of cause journalism — and, consequently, independent journalism — clarifying their significance and importance in the current media landscape and encouraging reflection on the future of independent journalism.