Kurier Mehr Platz: Journalism that reflects Vienna's diversity

With Mehr Platz (More Space), KURIER launched a target group portal in 2021 that does not make people with a migration background the subject of discussion, but rather talks to them – thereby highlighting perspectives that have long been missing in Austrian journalism. Articles are also translated into Turkish and BKS in order to reach communities directly. The success is measurable: 3.1 million unique clients and 6.6 million views in the first year, plus regular presence in print, online, podcasts, and social media. Mehr Platz is also considered a best practice example of the Vienna Media Initiative.

Here, the editorial team introduces itself and its work:

Mehr Platz is a target group portal launched by Kurier-Medienhaus on July 20, 2021. Its content is aimed specifically at people who now make up a significant part of society in Vienna and Austria: those with a migration background. Mehr Platz does not talk about these people, but with them, and attempts to produce content that moves them and their communities. Articles are also translated into Turkish and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian (BKS).

Diversity in journalism and among journalists still does not reflect that of society. This creates an imbalance because much of what happens goes unnoticed by many journalists. It is difficult to report on something that you are not even aware of. Often, language skills or intercultural competencies are lacking. These are essential in order to be able to offer a differentiated view or to be able to see certain things at all.

The Mehr Platz team has become an integral part of the KURIER editorial team. Its “different” approach to socially relevant topics brings a certain freshness to the media company's reporting. This is appreciated and recognized by colleagues, as is the expertise of the Mehr Platz team, which is in demand when it comes to topics relating to the countries of origin of the two editorial members. Articles and content regularly appear in print, online, podcasts, and on KURIER's social media channels. In its first year of existence, Mehr Platz reached around 3.1 million unique clients and 6.6 million views.

Since its inception, the editors have also been repeatedly invited to readings or podcasts, or asked to write guest articles in which they shared their views and expertise.

The business model of Mehr Platz does not differ from that of KURIER and is tied to KURIER’s.

The Vienna Media Initiative provided financial support for Mehr Platz, thereby giving the green light for this important project. During the application process, our plans were critically examined and constructively supported. The funding will be used to finance accompanying marketing measures and part of Mehr Platz's editorial budget.