Joining over a dozen global charities, NGOs and non-profit organisations, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) – the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide – has signed up with Newstag. The multi-level agreement allows the initiative to fundraise through the Stockholm-based video news service.
Newstag’s approach to the distribution and consumption of news brings together video news stories from professional content producers and brands around the world, including AP, AFP and Reuters. By rebalancing the traditional relationships between industry stakeholders, Newstag aims to make journalism sustainable through a proper funding stream.
The ‘mobile-first’ service enables users to create their own ‘tagstream’ (or personalised TV channel), organising, consuming and sharing the stories that they care about among their social networks. These stories are available from a number of different perspectives, with the aim of putting users in control. The result is a platform that allows converging viewpoints to be presented side by side, creating contrasting frames of reference.
Consumers can take action by supporting causes and research they think are important. A part of Newstag’s revenues are available for users to allocate to charitable, NGO and NPO partners, such as WFP. The more they watch and share, the higher their impact. Charities, NGOs and agencies joining this new media model will also be able to provide video news content to users on international initiatives, using the platform both to fundraise and communicate.
WFP head of television communications, Jonathan Dumont said: “The United Nations World Food Programme has an obligation to inform the public about what we are doing to help make this world a Zero Hunger world. As the UN’s frontline emergency relief organisation we have an inherent relationship with news organisations by providing content and information that helps them tell the humanitarian side of the story. Working with outlets like Newstag takes the relationship one step further by providing an opportunity for information providers and consumers to give back. That can make a world of difference to those who need help the most.”
Newstag chairman and founder, Camilla Dahlin-Andersson, added: “This link with The United Nations World Food Programme goes to the heart of Newstag’s new media model – creating value while enabling charities, NGOs and international agencies to tell their story. This multi-faceted relationship will transform the role of users by providing them with a unique opportunity to have real impact on the world around them.”
Newstag, currently in beta stage, is continuously bringing new users onboard.
