The internet has brought new realities, opportunities and unforeseen effects to journalism, its professionals and organizations. The digital environment has expanded the possibilities of access and reach for journalism and has helped to diversify traditionally concentrated markets. At the same time, digital platforms have presented a series of new challenges related to the sustainability of an industry already in crisis, such as the migration of advertising revenues to these new players, as well as having become a key means of content distribution for media organizations, establishing an almost dependent relationship in many cases.

Recognizing the importance of this discussion, the Forum on Sustainability in Public Interest Journalism (FSJIP) seeks to be a space for multisectoral and interdisciplinary discussion on public interest journalism, regulation of digital platforms, remuneration of journalistic activity, and its implications for an independent, strong and plural communication ecosystem. Through research, systematization of information and periodic meetings, we seek to build collective knowledge and generate mobilization on the subject.

The Forum is not deliberative or binding, and does not represent or respond to the interests of particular groups. Configured as a space for exchanging information and expertise on how to promote the sustainability of public interest journalism, it involves for-profit and non-profit media organizations, civil society and academic organizations,  and philanthropic entities dedicated to the issue.

With the sustainability, plurality and independence of the Brazilian media ecosystem in mind, and recognizing its relevance and direct relationship with the quality of democracy, FSJIP has two  fronts of activities that feed off each other: (i) research activities on sustainability in public interest journalism; (ii) periodic meetings with actors relevant to the ecosystem of this discussion.

The first axis of the Forum seeks to gather concrete inputs to the debate, creating a repository of knowledge on possible designs for sustainable models. Faced with the complexity of the challenges, we sought to delve into academic and regulatory sources from other countries that have come up with models to address the issue. Our study is guided by the following questions: what are the good parameters for conducting a sustainability discussion that does not favor predatory models or those that undermine democratic principles and the public interest, such as pluralism? Which model favors the maintenance of public interest journalism in its free and plural form? Who should pay, how and how much? Who should get paid, and under what criteria should the resources be distributed? How can we guarantee the sustainability of different news organizations, established in different realities, and what is the role of each player in the chain in this task?

The second pillar of the FSJIP is the periodic meetings between the different players in the field, a space for sharing information, formulating ideas and networking. These meetings are not deliberative, but rather serve to update the different stakeholders on the research, share proposals and think about applicable models to the Brazilian reality.