Campaign Aims to Support Public Interest Journalism
Independent newsrooms across Australia have joined forces in a week-long crowdfunding initiative, urging communities to back public interest journalism. The campaign, titled ‘Our News, Your Voice’, runs until 8th May and is organised by the Local & Independent News Association (LINA). Coinciding with World Press Freedom Day, the campaign involves over 40 newsrooms seeking to raise funds to ensure the sustainability of independent journalism. In the past two years, the initiative has successfully generated over $330,000 in donations for participating outlets.
Claire Stuchbery, LINA’s Executive Director, highlighted the importance of public interest journalism, stating, “Public interest journalism creates informed voters, covering governments at all levels, holding power to account, and bringing communities together by sharing and recording our common threads and diverse voices.” Stuchbery also emphasised that news isn’t free to produce. Quality journalism demands a substantial investment of time and resources. The global collapse of traditional business models for newsrooms has made it difficult for publishers to cover these costs alone.
Major news organisations such as ABC, Nine, News Corp, and Network 10 have expressed support for the government’s proposed News Bargaining Incentive, which aims to address the power imbalance created by tech platforms. This proposal is part of the broader News Media Bargaining Code introduced in 2021. Local and independent publishers, including LINA, are urging the government to consider the needs of smaller and emerging publishers within the new policy. The current draft risks creating barriers for small publishers and community media by entrenching the status quo in an already concentrated media landscape.
Stuchbery urged individuals to support journalism, stating, “If you don’t have capacity to donate to support public interest journalism, then engaging with and subscribing to content from independent newsrooms is also a valuable support.” The ‘Our News, Your Voice’ campaign continues through 8th May, with more information available at LINA’s website. This initiative represents a critical effort to maintain the diversity and vibrancy of Australia’s media landscape.
Last updated: 4 May 2026, 9:04 pm
