London-based Independent Media Network has announced its global Young Journalists Competition, to be held separately in 85 countries. In each country, the top 10 most-read news stories will determine that country’s official Independent Media representatives. Founder and Editor-in-Chief Alptekin Aydoğan: “In this competition, there are many winners and no losers — every participant will join our freelance pool and earn money by producing news.”
Independent Media Launches Global Competition for Young Journalists in 85 Countries
Independent Media Network, headquartered in London and operating a multilingual digital publishing infrastructure across the world, has officially launched its Young Journalists Competition—a project set to run independently in 85 different countries.
Each country will host its own competition through its national Independent website. Young journalists will publish their stories on their country’s platform, and the results will be determined entirely by reader engagement.
At the end of the competition period, the 10 most-read news articles in each country—based solely on Google Analytics data—will determine that country’s 10 official Independent Media representatives.
Independent Media Türkiye Founder and Editor-in-Chief Alptekin Aydoğan described the project as “one of the most inclusive and transparent youth journalism initiatives in the world.”
Aydoğan: “The top 10 most-read stories in each country will determine the winners — 850 young representatives worldwide”
Explaining the structure of the competition, Aydoğan said:
“There is no jury and no categories. Young journalists are free to produce any kind of news story they want. The results will be determined entirely by the readers. At the end of the competition, the 10 most-read stories in each country will identify the 10 young journalists who will become that country’s official Independent Media representatives. In total, we will have 850 young representatives across 85 countries.”
He highlighted the transparency and democratic nature of the system:
“There are no subjective scores, no personal evaluations. The public decides. Reader interest defines the winners. This is journalism in its most independent and fair form.”
“There are no losers” — All participants will join the Independent Media Freelance Pool
One of the most significant aspects of the competition is that every participant benefits.
All participants will automatically join the Independent Media Freelance Pool.
Once accepted into the pool, young journalists will:
- Produce news, interviews, videos or any editorial content they choose,
- Get paid for each published story,
- Build a professional portfolio within a global media network,
- Gain international exposure and real newsroom experience.
Aydoğan emphasized this unique opportunity:
“This competition has many winners and no losers. Every young participant will have the chance to earn money by producing journalism. This is not just a competition; it is a gateway to a sustainable media career.”
How the Competition Works
- A young journalist visits the Independent website of their own country.
- They complete the online application and submit their news stories.
- Their published stories are tracked through Google Analytics.
- At the end of the competition period, the 10 most-read stories determine the winners.
- Those 10 young journalists become the official Independent Media representatives of their country.
This model offers a fully digital, transparent and data-driven evaluation system.
Aydoğan: “We are building a global youth journalism network”
Summarizing the vision behind the project, Aydoğan stated:
“By selecting 10 young journalists in each of 85 countries, we are building a global network of 850 young media representatives. These young voices will share their countries’ stories, cultures and realities with the world. This is one of the most important investments ever made in the future of independent journalism.”
How to Apply
Young journalists can apply by visiting:
“The Independent website of their own country.”
All application details, guidelines and competition dates have been published on each country’s portal.
Conclusion
The Young Journalists Competition launched by Independent Media Network represents a groundbreaking model:
- 85 countries
- 850 young representatives
- No jury
- No categories
- Evaluation based entirely on real-time Google Analytics
- Every participant earns the chance to join the freelance pool and make money through journalism
