The Conversation is seeking to establish a dedicated Public Policy Editor position to enhance our coverage of policy development processes. With an emphasis o...
The Conversation
Public policy editor to provide better information that supports greater civic engagement
GOAL
$150,000
australia > ACT > Metro and regional
03/06/2024 > 30/06/2025
FIELD OF INTEREST
- Civic engagement and leadership
- Environment conservation and climate change
TARGET POPULATION
- General population
- People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Conversation is seeking to establish a dedicated Public Policy Editor position to enhance our coverage of policy development processes. With an emphasis on transparency and evidence-based journalism, this role will provide in-depth analysis and timely reporting on public policy issues. We are reaching out to a group of 50 dedicated supporters for financial backing to make this initiative a reality.
Funding Objective:
To advance our mission, we are requesting support from 50 supporters, each committing a minimum of $2,500 annually for three years. The goal is to raise $125,000, which will supplement the seed funding already secured. This fi nancial commitment will support the recruitment of a Canberra-based editor and help them operate effectively, ensuring robust coverage of policy discussions and developments.
Purpose and Impact:
- Insightful Reporting:
Our Public Policy Editor will focus on producing articles that demystify the policy-making process. This includes coverage of committee rooms, hearings, and senate meetings, offering readers a clear understanding of how policies are shaped and decided. - Evidence-Based Analysis:
The editor will commission articles that provide well-researched, factual information on current public policy issues. This will help inform public discourse and contribute to a more informed citizenry. - Engagement and Education:
By lifting the veil on policy discussions, we aim to engage our audience in meaningful ways, fostering a deeper understanding of the implications and nuances of public policy decisions.
Funding request
- Establishment of a ‘Policy Insight Funders’:
We are seeking 50 supporters to contribute a minimum of $2,500 annually for three years. This group will be instrumental in sustaining our editorial efforts and ensuring the continuous production of high-quality policy content. - Supplementary Funding:
The targeted $125,000 will complement existing seed funding, allowing us to build a robust editorial team dedicated to public policy issues
Your support will play a critical role in enhancing public understanding and engagement with policy-making processes. By investing in this initiative, you will help ensure that The Conversation continues to provide valuable insights into the decisions that shape our society. We invite you to join us in this important endeavour.
PROJECT OUTCOMES
The work will add an important new dimension to our existing coverage. Already, we know that 14% of our authors are contacted by government or policymakers and 7% are invited to contribute to briefing papers or submissions to parliament. Our journalism has the potential to shape policy discussions and influence legislative outcomes, resulting in tangible improvements to public policy.
We will multiply the impact of our journalism by engaging more closely with the public service and politicians to identify knowledge gaps that can be met with relevant research and expertise.
Our work is free to republish under Creative Commons. Our republishing team will build on existing relationships to seed our articles with broadcast and legacy media, professional publications and other information providers across education, health and the public service.
Additionally, we will access this funding to grow our reach and engagement on new channels to ensure evidence-based news and information is available to people (especially young people) on the platforms they use. To make this happen, we will turn our journalism into regular, engaging short-form video and audio formats, transforming complex policy topics into accessible formats that resonate with younger generations of news consumers.
The rise of AI-generated 'pink slime' websites, which are imitation news platforms created by partisan groups with specific agendas, presents a considerable threat to the integrity of public discourse. By investing in fact-based journalism, we can counteract the spread of misinformation and provide a trusted source of reliable information for our audience. The Public Policy Editor role will be instrumental in elevating the quality and impact of our public policy coverage, ultimately fostering greater civic engagement and informed decision-making among our audience.
The Conversation
The Conversation publishes evidence-based journalism written by experts to explain the news and share research with the public, allowing for better quality public conversations and decision-making. We aim to be the first choice for readers looking for independent, factual news analysis and for academics wanting to translate and share their research. By pairing academics with editors, we help academics learn to better communicate with the public. To reach the widest possible audience, our content is free to read and reproduce. We strengthen journalism by providing content, ideas and talent for other media to follow up.
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
TOTAL BUDGET: $225,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Donations from Conversation readers (confirmed) | $25,000 |
| Existing foundation partner (unconfirmed) | $50,000 |
| Funding Gap (unconfirmed) | $150,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Salary and on-costs for editor inc super, equipment and editorial tools | $150,000 |
| Audio and video development including producer, presenter and animation support | $60,000 |
| Marketing campaign to amplify audio/video content including paid ads on social media platforms | $15,000 |
Support Public policy editor to provide better information that supports greater civic engagement
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