JETZT

Jetzt (jetzt.media) is a Vienna-based independent journalism platform launched in 2025. It is dedicated to rebuilding trust in the Austrian media landscape through high-quality, in-depth text and audio reporting. Conceived during a period of mounting concern over media concentration and political interference in Austria - following the closure of the historic Wiener Zeitung - the publication positions itself as a "collaborative community," prioritizing nuance over the polarized "noise" of the daily news cycle to offer a more deliberate, human-centric form of journalism. The publication is recognized for its "audio-first" narrative approach, bridging investigative text with conversational audio journalism. It is particularly known for its focus on transparency, where journalists don't just report stories but moderate active community discussions around them. By offering a curated "daily briefing" and one or two deeply reported "stories of the day," Jetzt provides its members with an intimate, podcast-like news experience that emphasizes the "why" behind the headlines, aiming to create a less fragmented and more trustworthy public discourse. Jetzt maintains a bold, reader-first business model as a private venture led by entrepreneur Florian Novak. It avoids the traditional pitfalls of the Austrian media market - such as heavy reliance on government advertising and corporate subsidies - by utilizing a pre-launch membership model. This strategy required the platform to secure 5,000 paying members before publishing its first story, ensuring that its only "boss" is its audience. This financial independence allows the newsroom to remain fiercely autonomous, focusing on sustainability through a sliding-scale subscription fee rather than clicks or political favors. Operating from the cultural and political hub of Vienna, Jetzt has quickly become a key experiment in European media innovation. It serves as a vital, participatory platform for ethical journalism, fostering a closer connection between reporters and readers and providing a critical lens on the future of democratic information in Austria and beyond.