Audience dependence allows independence

It is no secret that our business model—reliance upon tens of thousands of donors and tens of thousands of subscribers—enables us to maintain editorial independence from outside interests. Different models fit other businesses well, but I can’t think of a better business model for an organization committed to journalism. We thank God that we don’t have to sacrifice our independence, or even the appearance of independence, by getting too cozy with huge advertisers, huge ministries, huge foundations, or huge governments. We don’t need to serve those interests—we need only serve the interests of our audience.

We understand those interests through your open communication and active support. You’ve made it clear that you want honest, respectful, challenging, in-depth reporting and analysis of the news from a Biblical perspective. And you’ve asked for, then supported, a wide range of additional products over the years:

› Expansion of WORLD into new formats, including digital, audio, and video.

› Increased international coverage.

› Richer resources for the students in your lives.

› Trusted opinion to help understand the most difficult issues of the day.

› More extensive daily reporting on important stories on all our platforms.

When you ask for something, we listen. When you offer your support as you have all these years, we do our best to deliver.

Of course, not many of you avail yourselves of every one of our resources. Honestly, I don’t even have enough hours in the day to read, listen to, or view every single news piece we produce. I’d guess that if you’re reading this in print, you may not be spending a lot of time with our other platforms.

But this is the beauty of our audience: Even though you may prefer your news the old-fashioned way—ink on paper, delivered by mail—you have asked for, and supported, the distribution of vastly more news and analysis on several other platforms, for the benefit of hundreds of thousands of people.

Here’s another way to put it: Even if you don’t listen to podcasts, you have enabled many who may not have the time or the inclination to read a magazine to benefit from the Biblically objective journalism WORLD produces by supporting the products of WORLD Radio. Even if you don’t visit our website every day or subscribe to our email newsletters, you have made it possible for many to benefit from WORLD Digital. Even if you don’t need in-depth examinations of the most pressing current issues, you have provided for many others that sort of help through WORLD Opinions. And even if you don’t know children and students who need exposure to a Biblical perspective on current events, you have helped underwrite WORLD’s efforts for young families.

As we near the end of 2021, we are grateful for your support of all those initiatives and the new projects and products you ask us for in 2022.

A gift before the end of the year will help us deliver.