“Launching the Mike Koedinger Foundation is an act of resistance and civic engagement at a time when media integrity, independent thinking, and democratic dialogue are under increasing pressure,” said Luxembourg-based media entrepreneur and citizen philanthropist 
Over the last decade, two parallel developments have profoundly reshaped our societies and the global public sphere. On one hand, we have witnessed the rise of populism, far-right ideologies, and increasingly authoritarian forms of governance. On the other, digital platforms have come to dominate public discourse while too often amplifying hate speech, disinformation, public outrage, and mass manipulation in the pursuit of attention and profit.
“These developments are deeply interconnected,” said Mike Koedinger. “Together, they erode trust, weaken democratic institutions, and polarise societies. They must be challenged through active civic engagement, strong and independent media, and a renewed commitment to the rule of law, open societies, and democratic values. With the Mike Koedinger Foundation, we will launch initiatives, collaborate with like-minded institutions, and support projects aligned with these objectives. At the same time, these converging phenomena are unfolding at a moment when citizens are losing faith in democratic societies, as the decades-long promise of continuous growth is being challenged by the post-Covid polycrisis.”
Safeguarding Media Integrity. Strengthening Democratic Resilience.
Based in Luxembourg with a strong European and international outlook, the foundation acts as a bridge between local engagement and cross-border cooperation. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives, it aims to strengthen democratic resilience across Europe in the digital age.
The foundation will officially launch with a fireside chat featuring Dr. Ayala Panievsky, author of The New Censorship: How the War on the Media Is Taking Us Down, in conversation with senior journalist Caroline Mart on June 25, 2026, in Luxembourg City, in collaboration with Mudam Luxembourg, Luxembourg’s museum of contemporary art. Invitations can be requested by writing to office@mikekoedingerfoundation.lu.
A Growing Community of Changemakers
The Mike Koedinger Foundation speaks to a growing community of changemakers who refuse to accept that truth, trust, and democratic debate are becoming collateral damage of the digital age.
It brings together people across generations, united by a shared conviction: that a healthy democracy requires credible information, critical thinking, and independent journalism.
Upcoming Projects, Board Members and Governance
The foundation is currently defining the scope and structure of its first initiatives in order to maximise long-term impact. Planned projects may include media literacy toolkits, awareness campaigns, publications, gamified educational content designed to strengthen critical thinking in the digital age, as well as grants supporting media literacy initiatives. Activities and partnerships will progressively roll out over the next 12 to 36 months.
The Mike Koedinger Foundation brings together an internationally minded board with experience across media, entrepreneurship, culture, education, and civic engagement.
Board members include Jeremy Leslie, award-winning advocate for magazine culture, founder of MagCulture, author, and keynote speaker based in London; Afsaneh Angelina Rafii, founder and editor of Icarus Complex Magazine + Media, an independent media non-profit focused on climate change and currently based in Singapore; Daniel Schneider, entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for justice; and Isabelle Thill, yoga teacher and founder of Yoga Conference Luxembourg, both based in Luxembourg.
To follow the foundation, subscribe to its newsletter at www.mikekoedingerfoundation.lu.
About Mike Koedinger
Mike Koedinger is a Luxembourg-based media entrepreneur and citizen philanthropist, best known as the founder and CEO of Paperjam, the country’s leading business media company. Since 2000, Paperjam has provided independent and influential business journalism, and since 2008, the Paperjam Club has grown into Luxembourg’s largest private business network.
A member of Luxembourg’s Press Council since 2016, Koedinger was elected Chairman of EMMA – European Magazine Media Association in 2023, where he advocates at EU level for media freedom and diversity while promoting fair regulation to ensure the sustainability of a free press in Europe. In 2026, he launched the Mike Koedinger Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to media integrity and democratic resilience in the face of disinformation and digital disruption.
Chairman of the foundation, he is married to Isabelle Thill and is a passionate vegetarian and yoga practitioner.
About the Launch Event, Dr. Ayala Panievsky and Caroline Mart
Launch Event – Fireside ChatThe New Censorship: How the War on the Media Is Taking Us Down
Dr. Ayala Panievsky in conversation with Caroline Mart
Mudam Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, June 25, 2026 – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
About Dr. Ayala Panievsky
Ayala Panievsky is a researcher specialising in media under attack, authoritarian populism, and democratic backsliding, and a former journalist for Haaretz. Her research has appeared in leading journals including The International Journal of Press/Politics and Digital Journalism, and has been featured in media outlets such as the BBC, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. She is currently a Presidential Fellow at City University of London and recipient of the ICA Outstanding Dissertation Award, the AEJMC Best Dissertation Award, and the IJPP Article of the Year Award, among others. Her new book, The New Censorship: How the War on the Media Is Taking Us Down, is now available.
About Caroline Mart
Caroline Mart is a Luxembourgish journalist for RTL Lëtzebuerg. She began her career in an all-male radio newsroom and subsequently anchored the news for RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg. She later served as Head of Culture, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, News Chief, and host of the political talk show Kloertext. She regularly moderates discussion panels and collaborates on documentary films.
