Journalist.net emerges from Paydesk rebrand as platform crosses $40m in freelancer payouts

In the ever-changing landscape of global media, few platforms have had a more meaningful impact on my freelance journey than Paydesk.

What started for me as a side hustle while working with Nigeria’s external radio service has grown into a decade of assignments for some of the world’s leading outlets—and it all began with a message: Can you produce a TV package for Voice of America?

That moment in 2016 marked my turning point—and this month, the platform that facilitated that opportunity takes a new name: Journalist.net.

Let’s dive in.

Samuel Okocha, Editor, 234Digest here.

LONDON / ABUJA — July 2025 — Paydesk, the leading platform connecting newsrooms with freelance professionals worldwide, has officially rebranded as Journalist.net, marking a decade of growth and a strategic shift toward becoming a full-service infrastructure for modern newsgathering.

Over the past ten years, and especially in the last 12 months, the platform has expanded services supporting clients in 90 countries with active freelancers in more than 180 markets. It currently serves more than 11,000 verified media professionals, paying out over $40 million in freelance earnings, including $25 million in the last three years alone.

"Ten years ago, we set out to build a trusted way to connect newsrooms to the best freelance professionals — quickly and fairly," said Henry Peirse, Co-founder and CEO, in an emailed statement released June 30th. "Today, we’re proud to be the platform of choice for the industry — and journalist.net marks the next leap forward."

Journalists join free — and get discovered

With the rebrand, the platform now offers professionals their own customizable public profile URLs—e.g. journalist.net/your-name, allowing them showcase their work, verify credentials, and get hired directly by media buyers.

News professionals join journalist.net at no cost. With built-in compliance, insurance, and one-click payments, the platform handles the logistics — so the professionals can focus on the reporting, the statement notes.

My own big break

For those of us working in media markets like Nigeria, the platform’s evolution is more than a brand refresh. It’s been a career catalyst.

Personally, my big break came in early 2016, when I received a message via Paydesk, as it was formally known, from the TV Executive Producer at Voice of America. The note was simple: "I’d like you to produce a TV package by Monday…" I had a basic DSLR and years of preparation. I took the leap.

It was a blank cheque. "We are leaving the topic of these feature stories fairly wide open because we are looking to see where your interests, creativity and news judgment take you."

That assignment became a launchpad. What started with a feature on how social media helped a woman sell soup from her kitchen became the first of nearly 200 assignments for leading broadcasters and publishers.

At the time on working on this release, I’ve completed 197 jobs through the platform. What sets it apart is not just the efficiency, but the sense that it’s genuinely built for people who do the work. And Journalist.net understands both sides of the newsroom equation.

“We’ve become the backbone for fast, credible journalism around the world,” said Morgan Sowden, Co-founder and CTPO, in the statement. “Whether you’re Euronews, France 24, Fox News, or a podcast producer — journalist.net gives you the reach, speed, and quality you need.”

Rebranding to reflect reality

The new domain aligns with Paydesk’s evolution from a booking tool into a global infrastructure layer for journalism. Journalist.net now houses a full network of thousands of vetted news professionals that include not just only journalists, but videographers, drone operators, fixers, photographers and everyone else — all available on demand.

In the past year alone, Journalist.net supported real-time reporting in over 40 global hotspots, including Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, and high-stakes elections in multiple regions. Through its strategic partnership with the Association for International Broadcasters (AIB), it offers newsroom partners secure, vetted access to field reporters under pressure and in real time.

As the industry continues to shift toward remote, freelance-first production models, Journalist.net aims to serve as the bridge between ambition and delivery when it comes to top-tier reporting, news gathering and due diligence.

Learn more or create your profile at journalist.net. And check out my profile journalist.net/samuel.okocha

Some updates

As promised in my last dispatch, here some things are happening behind the scenes:

234Digest Audio Briefs

Now live on Spotify, this weekly audio companion to the newsletter drops every Monday, following the Sunday edition. It’s produced and presented by me—sometimes adapted from the written version, sometimes extended with fresh context for audio. [Here’s the link on Spotify — and if you like what you hear, a rating would go a long way in helping others find it.

Podcast versions of deep dives

In addition to briefs, I’m developing podcast editions of some of the longform features from 234Digest. More soon on that.

New YouTube channel

It’s a work in progress, but we’re gradually rolling out original multimedia shorts and feature content. You can subscribe here to follow as it builds.

P.S. If you’re curios about my first VOA TV feature package, you can watch it. Shot in 2016, it still reminds me of how one assignment can change your trajectory. You can watch it on YouTube here.

I also recently concluded a two-year contract with a pan-African research agency—freeing up time and focus to build 234Digest into something stronger and more consistent. So if you’re new here, welcome. And if you’ve been reading for a while, thank you.

As always, I welcome your feedback. If you hit reply, I’ll get your message.

Keep an eye out for the Sunday round-up — our usual curated intelligence on Nigeria’s economic, business, and cultural pulse.

Until then, enjoy your weekend and stay blessed.