Entrepreneurial Online Journalism in Indonesia: Revenue Strategies and Editorial Challenges in Small-Medium Newsrooms

The rise of entrepreneurial digital journalism among former traditional media professionals has attracted growing scholarly attention. Yet, research has largely focused on prominent media brands, overlooking smaller newsrooms with limited resources and visibility. This study examines the revenue strategies of small and medium-sized online news outlets in Indonesia and their implications for editorial decision-making. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through interviews with twenty journalists and three key informants from regulatory bodies and an industry association, complemented by website and published news observations. Findings show that smaller commercial online media face challenges due to financial constraints, low brand recognition, and weak market power. As a result, many rely primarily on a single traditional revenue stream supplemented by one additional source. This creates unsustainable business models and increased newsroom vulnerability, with journalist-client relationships becoming transactional, threatening journalistic quality and public trust. Nonetheless, entrepreneurial activities can coexist with editorial integrity in smaller commercial newsrooms when guided by transformational leadership.