Public interest journalism is the news and current affairs that has the primary purpose of recording and investigating issues of public interest or significance. It plays a critical role in ensuring that the community is well informed and able to participate in social and civic life. Public interest journalism is a public good: it benefits everybody, even those who don't read, watch and pay for it, by educating people broadly and enforcing accountability.

The Public Interest Journalism Initiative is collecting information about news producers from all around Australia. The Australian News Index is intended to help communities, researchers and policy-makers access and use their data.