Public service journalism

Public service journalism, or public service media, or public service internet, is when mission-driven organizations report the news and have editorial independence from governments (unlike state media) and for-profit companies.^[1][2]

Public service outlets place more emphasis on public-interest reporting such as investigative journalism.^[3] In the United States, many struggling for-profit newspapers and radio stations have transformed into nonprofits in order to continue to serve their constituents with the help of new funding streams like foundation grants.^[4]

History

For-profit newspapers have been declining in the United States, for example, with the rise of the internet, cable TV and other forms of information and entertainment.^[5]

Non-commercial outlets

Nonprofit business model

Of the members surveyed for the Institute for Nonprofit News, most revenue as of 2022 typically comes from foundation grants and other donations.^[6]

Bill Birnbauer argues that nonprofits can reduce influence from their funders with total transparency.^[7]

Tara McGowan criticizes commercial news organizations that put paywalls up for their most important content, especially before big elections. She also believes modern media creates content with too much bias, negativity, and false equivalency.^[8]

Industry associations

Institute for Nonprofit News

The Institute for Nonprofit News serves hundreds of nonprofit news groups, mostly in the United States, but also in other countries and publications with a global reach.^[9]

Public Media Alliance

The Public Media Alliance is a global network of self-described "Public service media" organizations, whose members have, historically, delivered most content through broadcasting on radio and television.^[10]

References