Broader model for investigative journalism

Billionaires are increasingly strategic in their philanthropy. They are not only giving to the poor but also looking for ways to deliver long-term change in our society. Frank Lowy blazed a trail when he endowed his foreign policy think-tank, as did Andrew Forrest when he endowed a fund to fight global slavery.

Judith Neilson on Monday set a new precedent by pledging $100 million for ‘‘targeted funding and education’’ to ‘‘strengthen Australian journalism and help restore faith in its central role in a healthy democracy’’.

The entry of non-profit organisations into the world of journalism is not new. In the Europe and the US, many newspapers, including The Guardian and the Philadelphia Inquirer, are operated as nonprofit organisations. Some web-based news organisation such as Mother Jones are financed by donations and bequests. It sounds easy to make good journalism but it is actually hard. The challenge is not just to produce information but to package it and focus it so it has an impact on society and brings about concrete change.

The Herald argues that the Neilson Institute’s focus should be stories that have a measurable impact on Australia’s relations with the region, but the money must also be directed to stories which take a long time to report and require costly travel outside the big cities. Offering journalists help in that task could be invaluable.