ONLINE TECH NEWS PLATFORM REST OF WORLD TO CLOSE OPERATIONS

Rest of World, an international nonprofit digital publication known for reporting on technology and its impact on communities outside the Western world, is preparing to end its operations as an independent organisation by the end of January 2027.

The publication’s Deputy Editor, Rina Chandran, confirmed the development in a LinkedIn post, saying the newsroom would continue publishing until the end of January while its leadership searches for a new institutional home.

Founded in 2020 by Sophie Schmidt, Rest of World was established to highlight how technology, digital platforms and innovation affect people in developing countries and regions often overlooked by mainstream Western media.

Over the past six years, the publication has reported on issues ranging from artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure to technology-driven changes in employment, online businesses and everyday life. Its coverage has extended across more than 100 countries, with contributions from hundreds of freelance writers, editors and photographers.

Chandran described her experience at the publication as a privilege, reflecting on her work covering technology and its impact on communities across Southeast Asia and other parts of the world. She also reassured contributors that previously commissioned stories would still be published and that the publication’s existing journalism would remain accessible.

The planned closure follows a significant decline in traffic from online searches and social media referrals over the past 18 months. Despite efforts to attract and retain readers, the organisation has struggled to maintain its audience amid changes in how people discover and consume news online.

Industry observers have pointed to social media platforms reducing the visibility of news links and the growing use of artificial intelligence chatbots and AI-generated summaries as factors affecting traffic to publishers’ websites.

The publication’s founder and principal financial backer, Sophie Schmidt, has reportedly held discussions with several institutions about potentially taking over the newsroom. If a suitable arrangement is reached, the Rest of World brand and its archive could continue under a larger organisation.

Schmidt had committed $60 million to the project, which initially operated as a nonprofit newsroom supported largely by philanthropic funding and individual donors.

The development highlights the financial and operational challenges facing digital news organisations, even those with substantial backing and a distinctive editorial mission. As search engines and social media platforms change how they distribute information, publishers are increasingly under pressure to find sustainable ways to reach audiences and finance journalism.

For Rest of World, the coming months will determine whether a new institutional partnership can preserve its work and continue its mission of documenting technology’s impact beyond traditional Western technology centres.