LINA Launches "Our News, Your Voice" Campaign 

... as Independent Publishers Warn of 'Concentrated' Media as Crowdfunding Drive Launches

Sydney - Independent newsrooms across Australia are calling for urgent public support to safeguard the future of public interest journalism, warning that local reporting must be treated as essential community infrastructure.

The Local & Independent News Association (LINA) is set to launch its annual "Our News, Your Voice" campaign this Sunday, marking World Press Freedom Day.

The weeklong crowdfunding initiative involves more than 40 digital newsrooms nationwide and seeks to build on the success of previous years, which have raised over A$330,000 for the sector.

The push for community funding comes at a critical juncture for the Australian media landscape as major commercial outlets and the national broadcaster have recently united in support of the federal government’s proposed "News Bargaining Incentive".

Independent publishers however are concerned that the policy design may further entrench the dominance of established players.

LINA Executive Director, Claire Stuchbery, argues that while the intent to correct power imbalances with global tech platforms like Google and Facebook is commendable, the proposed incentives risk creating insurmountable barriers for smaller, volunteer-based, or emerging news services.

"Public interest journalism creates informed voters, covering governments at all levels, holding power to account, and bringing communities together," Stuchbery says.

She notes that while audiences frequently expect news to be accessible without charge, the reality of high-quality investigative reporting involves significant financial investment.

"Faced with concurrent pressures in the information environment, publishers can’t shoulder this cost alone. They are essential services and need support from the communities they serve to produce high-quality journalism that helps people navigate their lives," she adds.

Australia currently possesses one of the most concentrated media markets in the world.

Advocates for the independent sector believe that the survival of smaller newsrooms is vital to maintaining diversity and ensuring that local issues do not disappear from the public record.

The campaign is part of growing tensions in the industry between the legislative efforts to extract revenue from digital platforms and the grassroots need for direct community backing.

Supporters are being encouraged to donate or subscribe to local news services to ensure the continued delivery of verified, fact-based information.

"Responsibility remains with the government to ensure Australians have access to verified information," Stuchbery says.

"But each of us as individuals should also lend our support to the critical work of our news organisations," she says.