Public Interest Journalism Initiative

Our Chair, Prof. Allan Fels has today announced the pending departure of our CEO, Anna Draffin, and thanks her for her work, leadership and insights, which have significantly contributed to advancing public policy at a time of the most substantial Australian Government investment in public interest journalism: “The Federal Government packages recently announced embody the arguments, submissions and evidence-base PIJI has developed under Anna’s leadership. “We accept Anna’s resignation but will miss her vision and exceptional grasp of fast-moving challenges and disruptions in news media models. This includes working with digital platforms. Under Anna's guidance, PIJI has become a respected pioneer in news policy and research. The PIJI Board gratefully acknowledges her sharp expertise and strategic nous, which have enabled PIJI to deliver on its inaugural vision. “Her leadership throughout her tenure with PIJI has been outstanding and the Board wishes Anna every success in her new endeavours,” Professor Fels says. PIJI will continue as an independent, nonpartisan advocate for more sustainable and diverse public interest journalism. Before Anna leaves at the end of January 2025, PIJI plans to announce her successor.

PIJI’s latest research reveals that court reporting in regional Australia is highly centralised, primarily focussing on coverage at the Local Court level, rather than district or higher courts. 👇

"The threat posed to democracy through the demise of public interest journalism is one of the reasons Community Council for Australia and others believe we should be doing more to support charities like the Public Interest Journalism Initiative," argues CCA chief David Crosbie.

“A digital levy has the potential to deliver millions of dollars to the sector while allowing the platforms to reliably predict their financial liability, alleviating the uncertainty of bargaining activity with operators,” PIJI CEO Anna Draffin has said.

Former ABC News Director Kate Torney has been appointed as the Director of the Constructive Institute Asia Pacific in the Faculty of Arts at Monash University. The seasoned journalist will take up a Professorship of Practice in the School of Media, Film and Journalism and, through the Constructive Institute, spearhead Monash University’s ambition to counter #misinformation and #disinformation.

PIJI chair Allan Fels argues in The Australian that big tech should pay for its social licence to operate. A standard, percentage-based digital levy in Australia would create financial and operational certainty for digital platforms (and their shareholders) who pay it, rather than the uncertainty case-by-case negotiations with news producers has the potential to create. 👇

Capping off a busy week for our research team, this week we've released our February Australian News Data Report. Insights include: 🗞 The opening of one new outlet, The Nightly, and the closure of The Orange App in New South Wales, in February 🗞 1209 outlets listed on the Australian News Index 🗞 News sampling of the Coffs Harbour-Grafton region in New South Wales. Read all about it here:

PIJI would be nothing without its superstar staff. Today we are celebrating two members of our research team, who were promoted this week. Maia Germano is now Research Manager, and Jerome Des Preaux is now Senior Research Assistant. #Congratulations to both!

Are you looking for a new marketing role in the for-purpose sector? We might just be what you're seeking! Apply below for our Marketing and Partnerships Manager position 👇 #NewJob #WeAreHiring #DreamJob #ForPurpose

PIJI has today released a new report detailing high level findings from our Australian News Sampling Project across 2023. Among the findings of this major report is that courts and crime coverage is almost always the least reported category of public interest journalism among the LGAs sampled - compared to community coverage, which is frequently the largest category of public interest reporting. The report includes a comparative sample in the Eyre Peninsula, conducted in February and November 2023, and a study of court reporting across regional New South Wales. Read the full report on our website at https://lnkd.in/gMiH9diF