Publishing – Multiple Journalism

Peivast

Devid Ilievski — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 14:39:39 +0000

Peivast

A monthly hardcover magazine covering the latest’s insights on ICT developments in Iran.

When

2012

Where

Iran

Who

Arash Barahmand, editor-in-chief

Website

peivast.com

Case researched by

Luuk Ex

What is it?

As a printed magazine, Peivast is running against the flow of digitization. The magazine’s focus on developments in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) makes the choice of print medium particularly remarkable. The founders believe the physical presence of the 180 pages, full-color hardcopy suits their target market, which they consider to be “the decision makers of Iran.”

“If you are a manager in ICT in Iran, this is your bible,” says CEO Arash Barahmand. Peivast is a magazine someone wants to have on his or her desk during a meeting, with subscribers including important players in the private and governmental sectors.

The quality of the content is another reason to produce old fashioned print editions. “Peivast is famous for running long stories.” The online trend of short stories, published as quickly as possible, made the founders decide to try something different. “We take a month to write about a story,” says Barahmand. “People have heard of news events, but wait for us to get the real insights.”

Why did they make it?

Peivast was started by three friends after they were fired from their previous positions writing for magazines. They decided to launch their own start-up magazine in order to be their own bosses. They found an angel investor who contributed starting capital. As Barahmand explains, “this investor’s company focuses on the pharmaceutical industry, so therefore he does not have a special interest in political uses of the magazine. We are lucky with that.”

However, the investor did have a goal with Peivast. His vision is to enlighten the Iranian public on how to start their own business in the ICT-market. The magazine became a platform that informs a younger generation of ICT-workers about it’s history, faces, and power relations in the ICT-market of Iran. With articles on the impact of censorship and the empowerment of users, the magazine tries to inform its public about various urgent issues and debates.

The founders decided to write about a niche market where political interference is less likely. “By focusing on this niche”, Barahmand explains, “we can write more freely compared to working for a general newspaper. We try to stay neutral and out of politics by delivering stories from different perspectives and ideas.”

The magazine is illustrated with cartoons about the digital world, including those addressing the negative side of technology from an ironic perspective.

The founders believe ICT development is more than just technology. “In Iran, information technology is changing the way people think. It is changing our culture and society.”

Why did we select it?

In the essay “The Future of Journalism: Networked Journalism” (published on this website) the writers state that due to “technological changes journalism is being transformed in the ways it is used and produced. These developments are paving a path towards better journalism and towards more independent journalists.”

Peivast is both a confirmation and denial of this theory: while the founders chose technology as their subject due to its disruptive character, they also believe journalism needs thoroughly researched, with well-written, lengthy pieces in print in order to successfully connect with their audience.

As a successful combination of old world journalism and new world subject matter, it sheds new light on what works as journalism in Iran today.

Related Cases

Peivast

A monthly hardcover magazine covering the latest’s insights on ICT developments in Iran.

Malaysiakini

Launched in November 1999, Malaysiakini is one of the earliest online independent media portals in Asia, delivering news and opinion in English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil.

Malaysiakini

Devid Ilievski — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 11:30:54 +0000

Malaysiakini

Launched in November 1999, Malaysiakini is one of the earliest online independent media portals in Asia, delivering news and opinion in English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil.

When

1999

Where

Malaysia

Who

Steven Gan and Premesh Chandran

Website

malaysiakini.com

What is it?

Malaysiakini is the top online news portal for Malaysians and has inspired media activists across Asia. Since 2012 it has attracted about 2 million unique visits per day and over 300,000 unique readers.

The recipient of various local and global media awards, Malaysiakini has grown to encompass many sites, including Kinibooks for book publishing and sales, FeedGeorge for geo-tagged news and information, and CJ.my for citizen journalism sharing and training in Malaysia.

Adhering to high standards of editorial independence, Malaysiakini opens up new channels of information from news reports to videos, from editorials to cartoons.

Its angle often differs from mainstream media, which are usually owned by state authorities or pro-government corporations. Hence, Malaysiakini contributes to a diverse media ecology in the country.

How does it work?

Malaysiakini operates on the basis of “fast, accurate and independent news, and well-informed, diverse views.” Apart from professional news reporting and commentary, it integrates citizen participation in its daily operations.

The Letters section has spurred heated discussion among readers with diverse religious and ideological backgrounds, creating “an open and well-informed arena of public debate unseen in Malaysia since the 1960s.”

Topics on the site are not confined to the mainstream media agenda and cover controversial and even taboo subjects, such as the position of migrant workers, AIDS, Islam, and racial quota systems.

In order to remain independent, Malaysiakini avoids financial links to political parties and corporations. Instead, it relies on a mixed model of subscription fees, online advertising, and support from foundations.

The total revenue supports more than 70 editorial, technology, and business staff, united by a shared interest in independent media, social justice and democracy.

Adhering to high standards of journalistic professionalism, Malaysiakini endeavors to lower the threshold for user participation, welcoming people from all social strata to voice their opinions.

When Malaysiakini was founded in 1999, the country was experiencing a major social movement in support of Anwar Ibrahim, the opposition leader in Malaysia. This was the first time Internet had been used in Asia for citizen mobilization and large-scale political protests. This created special momentum for the initial growth and further consolidation of Malaysiakini.

Since then it has reacted quickly to new technologies and media trends, redesigning its interface for various devices, opening up new social media platforms, and creating multi-media content for dissemination. As a result, it has become influential among young people savvy with new media.

The mixed revenue model protects journalistic independence. Stable financial wellbeing based on a diversity of sources allows Malaysiakini to further emphasize high-quality content.

Why did we select it?

For more than a decade, Malaysiakini has served as an excellent example of independent media in Asia and a role model for media activists throughout the region.

Issues of nationalism and the politics of ethnicity have long complicated Malaysian politics. Against this backdrop, Malaysiakini plays a uniquely constructive role by shedding light on local politics from global and comparative perspectives.

Its rich offering of multi-language content remains rare among independent media organizations and enables Malaysiakini to expand its influence both locally and globally.

Malaysiakini emphasizes user participation and expands the scope of public discussion to previously taboo topics. It breaks the silence on various controversial issues, allowing citizens with different positions to confront dilemmas in contemporary Malaysian society.

Last but not least, the revenue model of Malaysiakini, though no longer the most creative, has proven sustainable and represents an important point of reference for independent media organizations around the world.

Related Cases

Peivast

A monthly hardcover magazine covering the latest’s insights on ICT developments in Iran.

Malaysiakini

Launched in November 1999, Malaysiakini is one of the earliest online independent media portals in Asia, delivering news and opinion in English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil.