Observed Signal · Jun 16, 2026 · Funding · Source: persoenlich.com News · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Media Forward Fund Backs Zurich Investigative Collective
The Media Forward Fund has awarded grants to the Zurich investigative collective WAV and to Hamburg radio station ByteFM following a selection round with 82 applications. WAV will receive funding to expand its supporter structures, strengthen brand presence and accompany three investigative projects per year with campaigns, special newsletters and events; the aim is to triple the number of regular donors. ByteFM receives €100,000 to further develop its audio offerings. Since July 2024 the philanthropic fund says it has supported 13 media organisations with ~€4 million; the fund’s total volume is €16 million. On 7 September 2026 the fund will open three concurrent grant streams (Growth, Strategy, Launch Grants).
Regional media funding announcement with limited direct impact on the broader AdTech/MarTech ecosystem; notable for publisher and audio-sector support but not industry‑shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- WAV (Zurich investigative collective) received Media Forward Fund support to expand supporter structures and brand presence.
- Hamburg radio station ByteFM was awarded €100,000 for the development of its audio offerings.
- The grant selection cycle had 82 applications.
- Since July 2024 the fund has supported 13 media organisations with around €4 million; the total fund volume is €16 million.
- On 2026-09-07 the fund will launch three simultaneous calls: Growth Grants, Strategy Grants (invitation), and Launch Grants for Swiss Romandie.
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
New Fund for Swiss Science Journalism
Journafonds and the Swiss Club for Science Journalism (SKWJ) will launch a dedicated funding line for science journalism from autumn 2026. The special call is endowed with CHF 25,000 per year and is financed by the Swiss Academies of Sciences, the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) and the ETH Board. The special programme runs initially for three years and targets research reporting in mass-media outlets. Journafonds previously supported 14 investigative projects in June 2026 with over CHF 60,000. The next application deadline for grants is 30 September 2026.
Reflekt launches crowdfunding to double members
Bern-based investigative newsroom Reflekt has launched a crowdfunding campaign to double its paying membership from 1,000 to 2,000 by the end of September after key grant funding is set to expire. The campaign emphasises the societal value of investigative journalism and relies on Reflekt's social video reach (Instagram videos reportedly reaching 50,000–100,000 viewers). The newsroom features campaign videos with staff presenting past investigations, including work on hate speech enforcement and a Mozambican debt scandal linked to Credit Suisse. The video format development was supported by the Media Forward Fund, which granted Reflekt €300,000 at the end of 2024. Reflekt, founded in 2019, is run by a non-profit association funded by foundations, memberships, and sales of research to other media.
Meier + Cie: Siegrist Urges Media Funding Measures
On 22 August 2026 Nina Siegrist, Chair of the Executive Board at Meier + Cie. AG, published an open appeal asking for cantonal support for the Schaffhausen media market and a one‑off CHF 30,000 Lotteriefonds contribution for Schaffhauser Fernsehen. She backs two motions before the cantonal council — the Lotteriefonds payment and a roundtable of politics, business and media to develop longer‑term measures. Siegrist says the local broadcaster currently survives through ten private supporters covering an annual deficit (~CHF 50,000) and highlights an independent measurement of about 34,000 daily viewers. She attributes the sector crisis to structural change and ad spend shifting to US platforms, notes reliance on the Carl Oechslin Foundation and media funds, and points to a regional proposal to test tax privileges for advertising. A week earlier Marcel Kohler had made similar calls.
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