Our Vision
Our vision is for a sustainable and diverse public interest journalism landscape in Australia.
Public interest journalism is a public good; it is the accurate, reliable news and journalism at the heart of public discussion, diversity of voice, open justice, accountability and informed decision-making.
Public interest journalism across Australia is being impacted by market volatility brought on by shrinking revenues, digital disruption, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
PIJI’s Australian News Data Project illustrates the market volatility affecting Australian news outlets, especially their impact on regional and rural communities.
Our Purpose
PIJI is a non-partisan, specialist think tank focused on the sustainability of public interest journalism in Australia. PIJI aims to ensure sustainable financial support and investment for public interest journalism across the country.
Our work provides an evidence base to inform practical policy solutions and constructive discourse on the importance of a robust, pluralistic news media, that serves the public interest.
PIJI is guided by these key principles and goals; to act in the public interest, to ensure plurality of news production and neutrality of support and, to be independent, practical, and evidence-based in consideration of any options.
Our Governance
PIJI is a philanthropically funded, non-profit company limited by guarantee (ABN 69 630 740 153).
It is governed by a board of independent, voluntary directors with expertise in media, economics, law, public policy, research, philanthropy and business.
PIJI is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
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The onset of COVID-19 and other upheavals in the Australian news media landscape have unveiled the rapidly diminishing production of public interest journalism in Australia, particularly in coverage of our councils, parliaments, and courts. PIJI’s research show’s regional and rural communities have been most adversely affected, with emerging local news gaps in print and online at the forefront of concern.
The Public Interest Journalism Initiative’s comprehensive research has become a leading point of reference for examining the state of public interest journalism production and availability in Australia. This means we now have a unique opportunity for systemic industry reform, using our Australia-first data to guide short and long-term policy ideas into action.
Public interest journalism in Australia plays a critical role in our democracy. The Public Interest Journalism Initiative’s research is uncovering indicators of a lack of media plurality and diversity across Australia. This research has the power to help communities and decision makers create effective media policies and interventions that improve the quality and provision of public interest journalism in Australia.