Support from the Web3 Foundation will support publishers taking part in a project to research how to use the technology in news publishing.

The collaborative media pilot project, led by Oxford Internet Institute fellow David Tomchak, will assess how Web3 can be used to help build ongoing trust and develop new sources of revenue for news publishers and content producers.

Web3 Foundation will provide expertise and funding during the research phase, with funds available through WAN-Ifra to help interested member media organisations.

Between October and December, the project will bring together local and international news publishers and technologists to research practical applications of decentralised technologies for the publishing industry.

Applications must be submitted by the end of next Sunday, September 11.

WAN-Ifra’s Vincent Peyrègne says the primary aim of the research part of the pilot is to provide learning and a space to share knowledge between media and Web3 industries. “The resulting blueprint will include a technical roadmap for product development and will be available for public consultation.”

Web3 communications and partnerships director Ursula O’Kuinghttons says the foundation believes Web3 can play a leading role in modernising how digital news is created, provided, distributed and monetised.

“The proliferation of centralised social media channels has made it hard for people to identify trusted news sources, and this project can play a leading role in addressing those concerns,” she said.

Thanks to the Foundation’s support, WAN-Ifra will provide funds to members in the form of bursaries of between 1,500-4,000 Euros, to compensate members for the time they will commit to the project. The project management team will select up to three media organisations to start the pilot at the beginning of October.

WAN-Ifra project director Stephen Fozard says it will be crucial to understand as soon as possible the implications of Web3 for publishers. “The only way to be relevant in our research and conclusions is to involve our members as early as possible in the process,” he said. Contact Fozard at stephen.fozard@wan-ifra.org

Web3 will be among topics on the programme at the World News Media Congress in Zaragoza from September 28-30 September.

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