Insights from publishers across Central and Eastern Europe this year

We also announced the recipients of the Google News Initiative Innovation Challenge for Europe this year. This Innovation Challenge was open to publishers with smaller newsrooms that produce original journalism. The 16 recipients from Central and Eastern Europe are working on projects ranging from audience engagement to digital revenue.​​3

3. Publishers are focusing on reader engagement and subscriptions

We launched Google News Showcase — our curated online experience and licensing program, which brings more in-depth, essential news coverage to Google News and Discover readers — in multiple countries across Central and Eastern Europe, including Slovenia earlier this month.

We also worked with publishers, like Denik N, focusing on revenue diversification. On subscriptions we learned that there is a need for publishers to remove friction for readers who show an intent to subscribe.

4. Journalists are seeking new ways to fact check and verify news

According to the IPSOS agency, 29% of people surveyed this year in Central Europe and the Baltic express being strongly affected by disinformation in the media. Providing access to authoritative information and helping people sort facts from fiction has never been more important. In the past year alone, we’ve trained over 1,300 journalists and publishers across Central and Eastern Europe on advanced fact checking and verification techniques through multiple training programs.

As we look ahead to 2023, we’ll continue to use our programs and products to work with publishing partners and journalists to address the unique needs in Central and Eastern Europe.

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