Good journalism is crucial to a well functioning democracy. When reporters can investigate, scrutinise and hold power to account, governments and institutions are more likely to act in the public interest.

When they can't, decisions get made in the dark.

Today, public interest journalism is under pressure. Social media companies have stripped advertising revenue from traditional media without reinvesting it in journalism. Local and regional outlets have closed. Coverage of state and federal politics has thinned. The result is a less informed public, and less accountability for the people who make decisions that affect our lives.

This year, World Press Freedom Day (3 May) is focussed on reaffirming freedom of expression and aligning journalism, technology (including AI), and human rights actors around practical ways to strengthen information ecosystems for the future.

Join us on Thursday 7 May for a Democracy Counts online townhall on public interest journalism - what it does, why it needs to be protected, and what needs to change.

Hosted by journalist and press freedom advocate Peter Greste, the event will bring together working journalists, editors, media leaders and Australians who care about our information environment for an honest conversation about the state of public interest journalism in Australia and the reforms needed to sustain it.

Register now and count yourself in.

Contact the host of In the public interest: a journalism, accountability and democracy townhall