Can Philanthropy Save Public Interest Journalism?

Are US-style philanthropic solutions a way out of the financial crisis gripping journalism in the UK, where public spending is slowly losing ground? 

Read Rodney Benson's latest article in the Byline Times on the role of philanthropic support in a diverse funding ecosystem that could support independent quality journalism for all. 

"[A] pluralism of forms of ownership and funding can contribute to a more pluralistic public sphere. In the US, philanthropic funding is prominent because public funding is so small, and yet it’s still not enough – and the strings attached can be prohibitive for journalists. Sure, philanthropy should be part of the mix, in both the US and UK, but in its quest to revitalize public service journalism, I hope the UK won’t take for granted its long tradition of strong public funding – it’s a legacy the US is increasingly desperate to emulate." writes Benson, as a conclusion to his piece.

Photo credit: Kristi Blokhin / Shutterstock.com

Rodney Benson is department chair and Professor of Media, Culture, and Communication at New York University. This research is part of the UK component of the Media Influence Matrix, set up to investigate the influence of shifts in policy, funding and technology on contemporary journalism, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. It is due to report in summer 2021