Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Invites Consultancy Proposals for Media Economics Research Study | Apply by 17 August 2026
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is inviting experienced consultants, research organizations, academic institutions, and multidisciplinary teams to submit proposals for an important Econometric Foresight Study examining the impact of content prominence requirements for trusted news media on major online platforms. This consultancy offers an opportunity to contribute to evidence-based policymaking that could influence the future of journalism and digital platform regulation across the European Union.
The deadline for applications is Monday, 17 August 2026, at 9:00 AM (CET).
About Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is an independent international non-governmental organization committed to defending press freedom and promoting access to reliable information worldwide. The organization works to protect journalists facing censorship and persecution while advocating for media pluralism, editorial independence, and the free flow of trustworthy information.
As digital platforms continue to shape how people consume news, RSF is commissioning this research to better understand how platform policies affect journalism, public trust, and media sustainability.
Purpose of the Consultancy
The study aims to build a robust evidence base on how requiring major online platforms to prioritize trusted news sources could influence:
- Audience behavior and access to reliable information.
- Competition within the media industry.
- Financial sustainability of trusted journalism.
- The wider information ecosystem.
The findings will support RSF’s engagement with the European Commission’s review of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) and future discussions on digital platform governance.
Research Focus
Consultants will assess three possible regulatory scenarios:
Scenario 1 – Current Environment
The existing system where digital platforms determine news visibility through their own algorithms without any legal prominence requirements.
Scenario 2 – Due Prominence Requirement
A regulatory framework requiring major online platforms to provide greater visibility to trusted and verified news sources while maintaining current monetization systems.
Scenario 3 – Due Prominence Plus Revenue-Sharing
A framework combining enhanced visibility for trusted journalism with financial mechanisms such as revenue-sharing models, advertising incentives, or other value-sharing arrangements designed to strengthen sustainable journalism.
Key Research Questions
The selected consultancy team will evaluate how each scenario affects:
- Public exposure to reliable news.
- User trust and engagement.
- Diversity of information sources.
- Referral traffic from digital platforms.
- Competition among media organizations.
- Market concentration.
- Spread of misinformation.
- Advertising revenue.
- Subscription income.
- Overall financial sustainability of trusted journalism.
Platforms Covered
The study should examine leading digital platforms, including:
- Google Search, Discover, News, and AI Summaries.
- Facebook.
- Instagram.
- YouTube.
- X (formerly Twitter).
- TikTok.
- Microsoft Bing and Copilot.
- Generative AI services such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity where appropriate.
Applicants should justify any proposed exclusions or changes to platform priorities.
Preferred Research Methodology
RSF encourages proposals that combine multiple research approaches, including:
- Econometric modelling.
- Audience surveys.
- Publisher surveys.
- Platform traffic analysis.
- Experimental research.
- Focus groups.
- Expert interviews.
- Desk research.
- Mixed-methods analysis.
Applicants may submit either a comprehensive research design or modular proposals with different budget levels.
Expected Deliverables
The selected consultancy team will be expected to deliver:
- A kick-off meeting and stakeholder consultations.
- An inception report outlining methodology and project timeline.
- Data collection tools.
- Interim research outputs.
- Knowledge-sharing sessions.
- A final research report.
- An executive summary to be delivered in November 2026.
Required Qualifications
RSF is seeking teams with demonstrated expertise in:
- Media economics.
- Digital platform dynamics.
- Audience research.
- European media regulation.
- Journalism trust standards.
- Advanced research and analytical methods.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
Experience conducting similar international research projects will be highly advantageous.
Application Requirements
Interested consultancy teams should submit:
- A technical proposal (maximum 15 pages).
- CVs of all team members.
- A portfolio of previous consultancy or research assignments.
- A detailed financial proposal including the total project budget.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in a 45-minute presentation and question-and-answer session.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted in English by 17 August 2026 at 9:00 AM (CET).
Send your application documents to:
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Final Thoughts
This consultancy presents an excellent opportunity for economists, media researchers, policy experts, universities, and consultancy firms to contribute to one of the most significant discussions surrounding the future of digital journalism in Europe. By providing rigorous evidence on the relationship between platform algorithms, trusted journalism, and media sustainability, the selected team will help shape future policies designed to strengthen democratic access to reliable information.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
