Aurélie Chamerois.
How to launch a Media outlet abroad
and survive without censorship
Entre Expats
In an interview for Entre Expats, Aurelie Chamero, founder of the French media outlet Equinox, talked about the creation of the project, its mission, and its significance for French-speaking expats in Spain. She shared her experience working in independent media, the importance of a simple and clear focus in business, and the necessity of determination to achieve success. Aurelie emphasized that Equinox is not just a news source, but a true bridge between France and Spain, helping the French-speaking community maintain cultural ties, adapt, and be visible in their new country.
The Impossible number of french people in Spain
“We even published an article in Equinox titled ‘The Impossible Number of French People in Spain’,” recalls Aurélie Chamero, founder of the French media outlet Equinox. According to various estimates, more than 100,000 French nationals currently live in Spain, and that number continues to grow — especially after the pandemic, as more people relocate in search of better climate and quality of life.
However, determining an exact figure is nearly impossible: many do not register officially, keep working remotely for French or international companies, and continue using French phone numbers, documents, and European health insurance. This lifestyle makes them almost “invisible” to official statistics — hence, the “impossible number.”
However, determining an exact figure is nearly impossible: many do not register officially, keep working remotely for French or international companies, and continue using French phone numbers, documents, and European health insurance. This lifestyle makes them almost “invisible” to official statistics — hence, the “impossible number.”
Equinox – a bridge between Spain and France
Equinox is a media outlet for the French community in Barcelona. Fifteen years ago, Aurélie Chamero, together with two friends—two of whom were radio journalists—decided to create a French radio station in Spain. Initially, the project was small and informal, as they didn’t realize how large and dispersed the French community here was; there were no social media groups or other platforms to connect people.
Equinox played a special role during the Catalan independence referendum. It was the only French media outlet explaining the daily events. They informed the French living in Spain about the situation, while people in France knew much less about it.
Over time, the project grew and became professional. In 2014, they launched a news website with regularly published articles. The radio station was closed because it required too many resources, and the website attracted a much larger audience. Today, Equinox is a full-fledged news portal with a team of several people, also producing podcasts and videos, remaining an important bridge between French and Spanish cultures.
Equinox played a special role during the Catalan independence referendum. It was the only French media outlet explaining the daily events. They informed the French living in Spain about the situation, while people in France knew much less about it.
Over time, the project grew and became professional. In 2014, they launched a news website with regularly published articles. The radio station was closed because it required too many resources, and the website attracted a much larger audience. Today, Equinox is a full-fledged news portal with a team of several people, also producing podcasts and videos, remaining an important bridge between French and Spanish cultures.
We don’t want to live in our own bubble
About two years ago, the Equinox team launched a Catalan-language version of their media outlet — Equinox Puncat. The first attempt to do this was ten years ago, but the project proved too challenging at the time. Now, about a year and a half after its launch, the publication successfully covers topics that the Catalan press does not always address.
“We don’t want to live in our own bubble,” says Aurélie Chamero. For her, it has always been important to be open to everyone. Equinox Puncat interviews people even if they don’t speak French and covers a wide range of issues: from expat life to health, migration, literature, and other current topics. The Catalan version is primarily aimed at Catalans from Spain and France — local residents who do not always know about the contributions of migrants and expats to the region’s economy and life.
“We don’t want to live in our own bubble,” says Aurélie Chamero. For her, it has always been important to be open to everyone. Equinox Puncat interviews people even if they don’t speak French and covers a wide range of issues: from expat life to health, migration, literature, and other current topics. The Catalan version is primarily aimed at Catalans from Spain and France — local residents who do not always know about the contributions of migrants and expats to the region’s economy and life.
Every source of income becomes important
Equinox — a French-language media outlet operating outside of France. Because of this, it does not receive subsidies from the French government, which does not fund projects abroad, and it also falls outside the support system for Catalan media. Nevertheless, the team did receive some help when launching Equinox.cat, the Catalan-language version, along with small advertising contracts from the Barcelona City Council, the Generalitat, and the provincial council.
"When you run an independent media outlet and all your content remains free for readers, every source of income becomes important," says Aurélie Chamero. The main revenue for Equinox comes from advertising: private companies, Google banner ads, and local government bodies. Another key source of funding is events — organized twice a year — which attract sponsors and help bring the local community together.
"When you run an independent media outlet and all your content remains free for readers, every source of income becomes important," says Aurélie Chamero. The main revenue for Equinox comes from advertising: private companies, Google banner ads, and local government bodies. Another key source of funding is events — organized twice a year — which attract sponsors and help bring the local community together.
Artificial Intelligence
as the Journalist’s assistantof the Future
as the Journalist’s assistantof the Future
Aurelia believes that in a couple of years AI will work flawlessly. Even now, it can produce texts of decent quality — if you give it a topic and a style, it delivers a good result, though with some errors.
Refusing to use AI means going against the times. Just like in the 2000s when many publications rejected the internet and disappeared, resisting technology now is pointless.
Aurelia uses AI as an assistant for routine tasks. She used to prepare a weekly newsletter with event listings and news herself, but now AI creates two beautiful and well-structured newsletters with minimal human involvement.
AI helps quickly analyze data, translate texts, and make transcriptions. It is an assistant, while journalists add professionalism and verified information to produce quality content.
Refusing to use AI means going against the times. Just like in the 2000s when many publications rejected the internet and disappeared, resisting technology now is pointless.
Aurelia uses AI as an assistant for routine tasks. She used to prepare a weekly newsletter with event listings and news herself, but now AI creates two beautiful and well-structured newsletters with minimal human involvement.
AI helps quickly analyze data, translate texts, and make transcriptions. It is an assistant, while journalists add professionalism and verified information to produce quality content.
You just have to jump into it
Sometimes it seems like successful projects are born out of luck. But as Aurélie points out, behind visible success there is always hard work and a clear goal. “People sometimes say to me, ‘Oh, you’re so lucky to live in Barcelona, Equinox is so lucky.’ But it’s not luck — it’s a lot of work. It’s about the decisions you make, and yes, they can be hard, but in the end, you have something different, something you can be proud of and that brings you joy. You just have to go for it and not wait too long — otherwise you get stuck in your comfort zone and you won’t leave, because it becomes too hard. You just have to jump into it.”
Aurelie Chamero
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