Towards a relationship of trust: journalism, philanthropy and newsroom independence

Journalism and philanthropy are in a complicated, interdependent relationship with each other. Media platforms increasingly need foundations to fund beat reporting, investigative journalism and innovation. Most foundations don’t support journalism for the sake of it, but do fund reporting on topics that they care about. Journalists, despite being impartial and independent, will take money from donors if they support their main objectives. How much of an impact do funders have on which topics are on the media’s agenda? Should foundations, particularly now, invest more civil society’s institutional structures and therefore in journalism more generally?  Or does this ‘tear the wings off’ new media? What can be done to make sure that journalism independence is respected and that independent media is being cultivated and sustained? These questions and many more will be addressed during this session.

Organised in association with the Democracy and Media Foundation.