JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 29, 2018
Join our WhatsApp channel
A billionaire Australian philanthropist vowed on Wednesday to spend at least AU$100m (US$72m) of her fortune to create a journalism institute committed to "the pursuit of truth".
Judith Neilson said the Sydney-based institute would "celebrate and encourage quality journalism in Australia and the world" at a time of "massive change" and challenges for the news media.
"Journalism doesn't just need critics; it needs champions - people and institutions with the resources to help educate, encourage and connect journalists and their audience in pursuit of excellence," she said.
The Zimbabwe-born Neilson, a prominent patron of the arts in Sydney, said the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas would run educational programs and events and provide grants for the development of independent, non-partisan reporting.
Neilson said one of the priorities of the organization once it is formally launched in 2019 would be to support more "informed, intelligent" reporting on Asia.
"Through targeted funding and education we can strengthen Australian journalism and help restore faith in its central role in a healthy democracy," she said in a statement.
"As an avid consumer of news, I recognize the need to support evidence-based journalism and the pursuit of truth in an increasingly complicated and confusing world."
News organizations in Australia have struggled in recent years with falling revenue and shrinking staff, as giants like Google and Facebook dominate the digital economy.
Neilson's announcement came the day after an Australian court gave final approval to the biggest media merger in the country's history, prompting new concerns for the future on independent journalism.
The takeover of Fairfax Media, Australia's oldest newspaper group, by television broadcaster Nine Entertainment, is widely expected to lead to further cutbacks in newsrooms.
The merger left only four major media companies in Australia, dominated by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.
Neilson's fortune is estimated at around US$1.1bn by Forbes, built through property investments and her holdings in international equities firm Platinum Asset Management.
"Through targeted funding and education we can strengthen Australian journalism and help restore faith in its central role in a healthy democracy," she said in a statement.
"As an avid consumer of news, I recognize the need to support evidence-based journalism and the pursuit of truth in an increasingly complicated and confusing world." - AFP
July 08, 2025: As Pakistani authorities move to block YouTube channels of journalists, censorship tightens. Yet, social media has emerged as a defiant force, keeping the spirit of free speech alive despite increasing state control.
July 08, 2025: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has acquitted a murder accused, ruling that confessions made to the media while in police custody are inadmissible. Justice Athar Minallah emphasized due process and transparency in legal proceedings.
July 08, 2025: The Pakistan government has approached a court seeking the removal of several YouTube channels operated by prominent journalists, accusing them of spreading false information and provoking unrest against state institutions.
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.