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Showing posts with label Journalism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Journalism. Show all posts

AUST | THCO | UPDATING | Awareness, Funds and Support for independent media and more | March 2026

[Edited extract from public address]

Thankyou to supporters of The Conversation. As valued friends and contributors to our work this is a quick update on a few interesting projects we are working on behind the scenes.

First, thanks to some very generous support for our matched giving campaign at the end of last year, we are now in the process of hiring two video journalists to join our digital storytelling team. We’ve already made one very promising appointment (details soon) and the ultimate aim is to expand our video journalism and our social media reach.

In news that is a little bit related, I’m also about to drop my suit at the dry-cleaners ahead of the Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards. In recent years I’ve mostly been at these annual awards as a judge of the investigative journalism award, but this year The Conversation is a finalist in the “Innovation in Journalism” category for two interactives Scam Factories: the inside story of Southeast Asia’s brutal fraud compounds and The Instagram effect: dying for the perfect photo. (And I’ll definitely let you know if we win!)

Back in the Melbourne office, a couple of weeks ago we had a group of interns in our newsroom learning from our senior editors and pitching some great ideas. Our paid two-week internship program is part of our ambition to provide pathways to aspiring journalists. To be honest, though, sometimes it’s hard to tell who is teaching whom, and that was certainly the vibe with this bunch. Read a bit more about their take on things in this LinkedIn post. 

There’s lots more in the works, including plans to expand our coverage of education and parenting, and continued debates about whether we should invest more in podcasting or stick to our knitting (so to speak) with more print-based digital coverage.

Wherever we end up on that one, I’m reminded that we are only able to have these types of discussions because of the generous support of people like you.

It’s an honour to work at a media organisation that is single-minded about serving the public good, and one that has so much generous support. So thank you again, please don’t forget to check out our latest impact report and we’ll be in touch with more news (and hopefully a trophy) soon.

 

 Three ways to make the most of The Conversation 

Make The Conversation your go-to for news

Google recently launched a new feature that allows you to nominate which sources of information you trust the most, so they appear near the top of your search results.

By selecting The Conversation as one of your preferred sources, you'll spend less time wading through divisive online content and more time getting to the facts.

Follow this quick step-by-step guide to learn how to make your world a little more informed. 
 

Life after publication: the impact of a Conversation article.

The story doesn't end after an article is published on our website. More than 60% of our expert authors are contacted after publication - by journalists, policy-makers, industry leaders, other researchers and members of the public wanting to learn more or take the conversation further. And thanks to our free-to-republish model, the reach of their work can often double beyond its initial publication.

You can read a snapshot of what happens next in our latest Impact Report. You can also find past Impact Reports on our website.
 

Time to get your affairs in order?

Getting married, buying property, and welcoming grandchildren into the world are all important milestones in a person's life. Less exciting, but just as important, is making sure your affairs are in order with an up-to-date Will. A Will gives you the chance to clearly set out your wishes, provide for the people you care about, and ensure that the things that matter most to you are looked after in the future.

If the timing is right for you, online Will provider Safewill is offering its services for free for Conversation readers. The offer runs from 16–30 March and there's no pressure to include a gift to The Conversation (though we'd be very grateful if you chose to!).
Thank you to the Friends of The Conversation.

With warm wishes,
Misha Ketchell, Editor
 

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AUST | THCO | UPDATING | Awareness, Funds and Support for independent media and more | December 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

In September this year, the Nobel-prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa gave a powerful speech to the National Press Club about the ways in which authoritarians manipulate social media. 

She called for the Australian government to bolster the regulation of technology platforms and issued a stark warning.
“The greatest threat we face today isn’t any individual leader or one government. It’s the technology that’s amplifying authoritarian tactics worldwide, enabled by democratic governments that abdicated their responsibility to protect the public … Tech platforms have become weapons of mass destruction to democracy.”
Ressa is right. We all consume content served up by these platforms, and we are all at risk from misinformation and disinformation. But this is even truer for younger generations who have little experience of journalism before social media. They need access to trustworthy information on the platforms they use. 

That is why The Conversation wants to invest in producing content from academic experts on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and other social platforms. We want to commission fast, accessible, evidence-based explainers that meet people when they most need clarity. In a sea of misinformation and agenda-driven spin, we want to give the truth a fighting chance.

Two of our valued supporters, the Sue Beeton Fund and the Koshland Innovation Fund, understand the urgency of our mission. For the next two weeks, they will match every donation from our readers. This means that if you give again now, the impact will be doubled.


THANKING | Supporters of The Conversation

In normal times, this might be a “shorts and thongs” sort of day as we wind down for the Christmas break. Instead, we are shell-shocked. The Bondi attack shattered our sense of safety and forced us to confront difficult questions about how something like this can happen and how we can stop it from happening again.

Our team has been working hard to produce sober analysis and reporting, grounded in evidence and drawing on deep expertise.  Their commitment has been underpinned by the belief that journalism is a form of public service. Our aim, as always, is to be constructive, not divisive. We focus on solving problems rather than amplifying them.

I am proud of our work this week, and throughout 2025. It’s made possible by the selflessness of many people, and I want to thank them all. 

Thank you to our hundreds of thousands of thoughtful and generous readers who see the value of reliable information and who care enough to help us provide it.

Sincere thanks to every academic who found the time to write an article and share their expertise this year. 
Thanks to our university partners and philanthropic funders who work so hard to make a positive difference. 

Thanks also to the volunteer board members and my colleagues in editorial, administration and technology, who are so committed and principled and lovely to work with.

Special thanks to all the people who became monthly donors this December and to the thousands more who supported us with tax-deductible gifts throughout the year. (And if you haven’t donated yet to our end-of-year campaign, you still can.) 

Finally, from everyone in the team here, we wish you a joyous and peaceful Christmas. May 2026 be a better year, one in which we live together without violence and we care as much for those around us as we do for ourselves.

SUPPORTING | Our work

I hope you will consider helping us secure the resources we need to do this work. Your support will help make expert knowledge accessible and protect us from the shysters, charlatans and shills who distort public debate.

Best wishes,
Misha Ketchell, Editor

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AUST | THCO | UPDATING | Awareness, Funds and Support for independent media and more | November 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

These days, new technology is presented as inevitable and resistance is futile. Smartphones and social media for kids? 

It’s just how it is. 

Cynical about crypto? You must be a crackpot. Worried about AI slop? Get on board or get left behind. 

At The Conversation (THCO), we have always taken a sceptical approach to prevailing wisdom, and we’re determined to go about things our own way.

When many in the media were sacking specialist journalists in health, economics or science, we were hiring. When everyone was turning away from experts, we launched a media outlet that only works with academics. When others focused on personality in politics, we appointed an editor to help us do a better job of analysing public policy.

From day one, we have been different because we are guided by values, rather than trends or algorithms. And we will continue to stand out by putting people — real journalists, real editors, real experts — at the centre of what we do. 

At a time when others turn to automation, we’re doubling down on human insight. At a time when people are seeking profits in technological innovation, we’re a not-for-profit media organisation that exists to serve the public.

We take this approach because it’s in our DNA, and we know that you value it. Many of you write to us or respond to our surveys, and you tell us every year how much you appreciate our work, such as the eloquent reader who recently described The Conversation as a “lake of sanity amid mountains of clickbait.”

We’re proud of what we do, and with your support, we can continue to take the path less travelled. Please consider helping us by:
And thank you for reading us and supporting our efforts to create something different.

Kind regards, 
Misha Ketchell, Editor

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AUST | THCO | UPDATING | Awareness, Funds and Support for independent media and more | June 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

Thank you to those who have already supported our fundraising campaign. You are helping to keep trusted health information free for everyone. 

In the old days of Dr Google, if we wanted to know more about a new diagnosis or were concerned about symptoms, we'd type a question into the toolbar. Then we'd wade through the pages it suggested, trying to click on reputable sites and avoid those that were dubious. 

These days, if you type a health question into Google, you get a neat, AI-generated summary at the top. It's quick and easy. But where does the information actually come from? And how much of it can you trust?

This sort of lax quality control couldn't be further from our approach at The Conversation. We only ask genuine experts to answer complex health questions. Our team of experienced editors trawl through the evidence to find the best new research that you will want to know about.

And when we see things in the news that don't seem quite right, or need expert insights, such as the pros and cons of GPs diagnosing ADHD or how to support people’s mental health during police call-outs, we ask the researchers and academics who have dedicated their careers to finding answers. 

By the time this information gets to you, it's in language you understand, with examples you can relate to. We've linked to the sources of evidence and have fact-checked for accuracy. 

More and more, we hear of doctors, teachers and communities of health consumers sharing Conversation articles with patients, students, peers and family because they want to hear from real experts they can trust on topics that affect their lives. 

But this human-generated, evidence-based journalism takes time. As a not-for-profit news site, we rely on reader donations to keep us going. We are halfway through our annual fundraising campaign, and we need your help again. If you value what we do, please donate to The Conversation.
Thank you,
Fron Jackson-Webb, Deputy Editor and Senior Health Editor 
Misha Ketchell, Editor
 

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AUST | THCO | UPDATING | Awareness, Funds and Support for independent media and more | December 2024

[Edited extract from public address]

Thank you to generous supporters of The Conversation in 2024. We couldn't do this without you.

Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do, and nothing we’ve achieved this year would have been possible without you, and thousands of people like you, who care about access to quality information and who go out of their way to make The Conversation a successful project and an incredible place to work.
Special thanks also go to every academic who gave up their valuable time to write an article and share their expertise this year. Thanks to our university partners and philanthropic funders who work so hard to make a positive difference. And thanks also to the volunteer board members and my colleagues in editorial, administration and technology, who are smart, passionate, humble and fun.

A warm welcome and thank you to the 800 people who became monthly donors this December and the thousands more who supported us with gifts throughout the year. (And if you haven’t donated yet to this campaign you still can). 

Finally, from everyone in the team here, we wish you a joyous and peaceful Christmas full of friends, family, reading (start with our Best Books of 2024 article for recommendations), reflection and affection. 

PS: For those interested in learning more about what we've achieved this year, I've included our 2024 Stakeholder Report and our most recent Impact Report. 
 
Thank you for being a Friend of the Conversation.  

Best wishes,
Misha Ketchell, Editor

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AUST | THCO | UPDATING | Democracy, Awareness, Funds and Support for independent media and more | December 2024

[Edited extract from public address]

Things are looking increasingly shaky for democracy globally. Our media world has been distorted by social media, with misinformation circulating freely and populist currents intensifying.

The recent US presidential race revealed a deeply divided nation where both sides of politics have their own partisan media spruikers and often their own facts. In Australia, trust in institutions is in decline, attitudes to immigration have hardened and social cohesion continues to track at its lowest level since the Scanlon Foundation began measuring it in 2007. In New Zealand, media outlets are closing and an emerging debate about the Treaty of Waitangi chimes perfectly with the populist playbook. 

Increased use of online and social media is driving these trends. A recent article in Politico highlighted the way people who get their information from legacy media like The New York Times form different political views to those who favour social media. 

SUPPORTING | Fact-based news

“Open societies thrive on press freedom, vigorous debate, and evidence-based policymaking.” - Chris Patten, former governor of Hong Kong
For the US reporters fact-checking claims that Haitian migrants are eating pets, this must seem like a dream from a more innocent age. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

The Conversation provides clearly-sourced and reliable information online. We do this by teaming academics with journalists to deliver research-based news and analysis. Our stories are accurate, unbiased and free.

We cover everything from science to arts to business, climate change and politics, and we make our work available at no cost because we believe that for democracy to thrive, people must have access to trustworthy information. Providing this information helps us create a more constructive public conversation. 

Our team in Australia and New Zealand collaborates with nine editions worldwide to bring you the best information and the latest groundbreaking research on global issues. We know that what we’re doing is making a long-term difference because we measure the impact it has in the public square and on the policymakers who read us.

Each day we continue to build a body of evidence that can help underpin a healthy political discourse. But because we give away our work for free we need your help to secure our team into the future.

MAKING | A donation

That’s why I am asking you to consider giving. Donor support can help bring people together and improve the quality of our political discourse. An open society that thrives on vigorous debate and evidence-based policymaking is worth striving for – and with Donor help, we can make it a reality.

Kind regards, 
Misha Ketchell, Editor

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AUST | THCO | UPDATING | Insights from our reader survey, plus how to join us for a news conference | November 2024

[Edited extract from public address]

In October, I was lucky enough to spend three weeks in the United States, attending a meeting of The Conversation’s global network of editions in Providence, Rhode Island, and a conference at Columbia University in New York on the US election coverage and journalism’s uncertain future.

A few things stood out for me. The academics and heavy hitters at the Columbia University conference were all deeply worried about misinformation and all were supporters of Democrat candidate Kamala Harris. Everyone I talked to nervously predicted that she would win. 

The fact that they turned out to be so out of tune with the electorate speaks volumes about the fragmented media ecosystem in the US. Is it any wonder that readers of the New York Times and fans of Joe Rogan’s podcast or Fox News have divergent sets of facts and utterly different worldviews? The media is increasingly partisan, so much so that what you consume is a reliable predictor of what you believe.

The second thing that left an impression on me was a talk by the media academic Ethan Zuckerman. Not long before the January 6 insurrection he published a book in which he divided the political world into “insurrectionists” and “institutionalists”. 

The insurrectionists want to achieve change by tearing things down. Think “drain the swamp” Trump supporters and the Black Lives Matter movement. Institutionalists want to do the slow work of trying to achieve change from inside the system.

According to Zuckerman both approaches are valid, but the social media algorithms reward the howl of rage over the quiet diligence of the dedicated bureaucrat every time.

It got me thinking about The Conversation, and where our model of informing democracy with journalism by experts might fit in. The howl of rage has a place in the face of great injustice, but I think that deep down we are institutionalists, engaged in the slow and painstaking work of bringing people together and creating a non-partisan space for respectful discussion. 

And that is why support from civic-minded donors like you is so vital. Your contributions enable us to maintain our editorial independence, allowing us to make informed decisions about how best to share high-quality information with everyone. We are constantly trying to improve, which is why the findings from The Conversation’s Reader Survey make essential reading (read more).

It's terrific to see that so many of you are using The Conversation to make a positive difference in the world. Our mission has always been to provide the information that leads to better decisions, and it’s fantastic to see this ambition realised in the world.

Thank you again for reading, sharing and supporting our work. 
Best wishes,
Misha Ketchell, Editor

P.S If you’d like to learn more about how our team make their editorial decisions, please join us online for a Conversation news conference and see our team in action. This special event is exclusively for our supporters. Held 9am AEST on Monday 25 November 2024, it’s free to attend and you’ll get an inside look at how we plan our coverage, analyse the news, and tackle complex editorial decisions. Further info below.
 

Want to know how our work is informing decisions?

The Conversation collects feedback from our authors and uses analytics to track the post-publication impact of our work. From engagement with policy makers to supporting educators our articles are providing quality information that informs decisions. 
 

Thank you for including us in your legacy

Last month as part of the Australian Charities nationwide giving campaign ‘Include a Charity’, we asked our readers to consider including a gift to The Conversation in their Will. We were humbled that many of you were interested in learning more and several of you told us that you had included The Conversation in this significant stage of giving.

A heartfelt thank you to those of you have taken this step (including those who have chosen to do this anonymously). It will make the world of difference in safeguarding our future.
If you would like to know more please email our bequest manager Helen Johnstone or read more.
'I believe truth in journalism is the single most important thing if we want to keep democracy alive in the toxic times of “alternative facts” and radically divisive politics.'
Helmut Schwabe, Legacy Supporter

Thank you for being a Friend of The Conversation

 

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THCO | UPDATING | Something new from The Conversation

[Edited extract from public address]

A few days ago, we let readers know that we are launching a newsletter featuring our Books & Ideas coverage, and the response has been terrific.

5,000 people have already signed up for the new weekly email that will feature longer reads on literature, philosophy and many of the things we hold most dear. If you haven't already, please sign up and tell us what you think.  And in the meantime, you can hear from our Books & Ideas section editor, Suzy Freeman-Greene, as she shares her plans for the newsletter below.

Thank you to the donors whose support enabled us to create the Books & Ideas section late in 2021. Your support of Books & Ideas is just one example of how our community of donors helps The Conversation grow and create new things. At a time when populism fuelled by misinformation is on the rise, it’s vital that people can access reliable information that brings people together and is essential for a functioning democracy.

Also below, please check out our latest Impact Report and take a few minutes to let us know how The Conversation might play a part in your legacy. 

Thank you so much for supporting our work and helping us make a difference.

All the best,
Misha Ketchell, Editor
 

Behind the scenes at The Conversation 


 

Could we play a part in your Legacy?

Your commitment to quality journalism has played a crucial role in our mission to provide public interest news brought to you by experts. As we continue to meet the challenge of providing quality information that’s free to read and republish, we are exploring new ways to ensure the sustainability of our organisation.

Your thoughts on how The Conversation might play a part in your legacy would be appreciated.
Please share your thoughts in this short survey.

What happens after an article is published in The Conversation?


Thank you for being a Friend of The Conversation

 

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THCO | THANKING | you from The Conversation

[Edited extract from public address]

Making a difference this year

For 16 years the Scanlon Foundation has produced an index of social cohesion in Australia. The most recent figures came out last month and they were the worst ever recorded. Since then cohesion has continued to fray in the wake of October 7 and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

What’s going wrong? One factor is the ubiquitous technology that primes us for intolerance. Social media rewards strong positions and self-righteous anger. The smartphones in our pockets claim to increase our connections with “friends” but they are optimised for moral grandstanding. It’s making us lonely and miserable.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Real social cohesion comes from the slow and unglamorous work of listening to people carefully, paying them respect and giving them the benefit of the doubt. 

It comes from the sort of morally attentive conversation the philosopher Raimond Gaita so generously creates. It also comes from the work of mission-driven organisations like The Conversation. We see the role of the media as creating a better world, not just a more profitable one.

In our case, collaboration is both the means and the ends of everything we do. Our work is made possible by thousands of thoughtful and generous readers who see the value of reliable information, and who care enough to help us provide it.
"Your authors' presentation of scientific facts, in layman's language, helps me and my colleagues to challenge attitudes and the powers behind them." – Steve, Friend of The Conversation
My deepest thanks to every academic who gave up something else important to write an article for The Conversation. Sincere thanks also to our passionate and attentive readers, our university partners and philanthropic funders who work so hard to make a positive difference. 

Thanks also to the volunteer board members and my colleagues, a team of professionals in editorial, administration and technology, who are smart, passionate, humble and fun.

A very special thanks to the 800 people who became monthly donors in December and the thousands more who have supported us throughout the year. If you haven’t donated yet in 2023 and would like to, you still can. 

Finally, from everyone here at The Conversation, we wish you a socially cohesive Christmas full of friends, family, reading, reflection and affection. 

I’m looking forward to working with you again in 2024 to fight the worst impulses of social media and hopefully play a small part in getting those Scanlon Foundation social cohesion numbers moving in the right direction.

Best wishes,
Misha Ketchell. Editor

PS: For those interested in learning more about what we've achieved this year I've included our 2023 Stakeholder Report plus our most recent Impact Report. And if you are looking for a last-minute Christmas gift our book A Year of Consequence is available from your favourite bookshop. 
 

Have you left your gift- buying to the last minute?

We can help. To satisfy the intellectually curious, look no further than our annual yearbook for a Christmas gift.

A Year of Consequence is a collection of some of the best essays from a year of consequential decisions, not just for Australia and New Zealand, but the world. 
 

Thank you for being a Friend of the Conversation.  


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THCO | RAISING | Awareness, Support and Funds for helping make journalism more constructive

[Edited extract from public address]

Is Australia’s political system doing a good job of serving its citizens? If not, how can we help it work better?

These questions have become even more pressing in recent months. The war in Gaza has spilled over to Australia, bringing new animosity and a threat to our social cohesion. The defeat of the Voice referendum has shaken confidence in the capacity of our political system to meet the needs of Indigenous citizens for better lives and political recognition. Progress on climate change seems unacceptably slow. Meanwhile, fuelled by social media, a steady stream of populism is rushing our way.

In dealing with all of this, the role of the media is crucial. But is it really helping? Stan Grant quit the ABC this year when he came to fear that being part of the media made him part of the problem. In his new role at Monash University, he will be working on constructive journalism. Which makes you think: precisely when did we see the emergence of such a thing as unconstructive journalism? Why do we tolerate it? How much damage has it done? 

Since its creation in 2011, The Conversation has been dedicated to producing a style of journalism that swims against the tide of clickbait and hot takes. Our non-partisan articles draw on the expertise of academics to help inform public debate. We want to help our democracy work by making public deliberations more civil, more constructive and better informed.

In our own modest way, we are trying to contribute to a more cohesive society. It’s slow work, but it also feels like we are part of a movement of people who understand nothing is made better by a snarky social media post or an angry opinion article. 

Increasingly, colleagues in the media are republishing our thoughtful explanatory articles. Universities in Australia and New Zealand and across the world have embraced the idea of entering the public square to share research and help inform decisions. And our growing community of readers and donors is passionate and eager to help. 

That’s been the most encouraging thing in a tough year, the reminder that people do care and are willing to do something about it. Thank you to everyone who has helped The Conversation make a difference in 2023, from the selfless academic authors to the volunteers who serve on our boards, to the thousands of readers who respond to our surveys and call out and help us shape our editorial offering.

And finally an important request: we know you value what we do so please consider signing up to become a regular monthly donor. We are grateful for every donation, but monthly contributions are especially important because they sustain our independence and help us plan for the future. We need 600 more before the end of the year to reach our goal. 

Thank you for reading, and here’s to a more peaceful, kind and constructive 2024.
Misha Ketchell, Editor

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THCO | ADVISING | Where you can find us

[Edited extract from public address]

It may surprise you!

When we launched The Conversation in 2011, we wanted to inject the voice of experts into our country’s news coverage. Expertise was lacking and poorly informed opinions disguised as journalism were rife. 

Much to our relief our untested approach of pairing journalists with academics worked right from the start. Academics quickly proved they could add valuable insight to what was making the headlines. We made our evidence-based coverage free to read and republish and quickly found a large audience. With many quality publishers adopting paywalls this free access to quality journalism became a crucial feature of our work.

As our latest Impact Report shows, these days The Conversation’s outreach team works with print, online and broadcast media around the country to amplify the work of our experts. From community media to talkback radio, we help make sure that the voices of academics are heard.

Significant issues that affect our nation such as last year’s Federal election and the current Voice to Parliament campaign, are carefully covered and shared. Conversation content that tackles the issues that matter in regional and rural areas – articles on community resilience, health, education and much more - are also available for republishing and discussion.

Thank you to donors for supporting us. Donors' contribution helps our independent journalism reach more people. You can read more about our reach and the impact of our work in our latest Impact Report. And if you have time, please tell us how we are doing in our Reader and Author survey.

You can read why this is important to us, below.

All the best,
Misha Ketchell, Editor
 

Reader & Author Survey: 'Our only agenda is you'

You’ll see the above statement pop up across our website. What this means is that our work is published with you in mind. We want to provide you with high-quality information that is useful and interesting to you.

That’s why our Reader and Author Survey is a vital part of our editorial process. It helps inform the topics we cover and the authors we work with. It holds us accountable, and it ensures that we are providing you with a service of value.

We know that you care, your philanthropic support shows us that, but we also want to know what you think. And that’s why we are coming to you first.
 

Outcomes from the Voice Reader Survey

Thank you to those who participated in our Voice Reader survey last year. To see how your input has informed our coverage, please visit our curated Voice section of the website, and you can hear more from our First Nations and Public Policy Editor, Carissa Lee.
 

An invitation to our Online News Conference | Monday 16 October 2023 | 9 am AEST

Join us online for a peek at how The Conversation is made and a Q&A with our editors. Free and online.

Are we part of your legacy?

Monday 4 September 2023 marked the start of the national campaign Include a Charity Week. This social change campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of having a Will and (after looking after your friends and family) encourages people to leave a gift in their Will to a charity (or charities) of their choice. If you would like to share a legacy of knowledge by leaving a gift in your Will to The Conversation, you may like to work with online Will partners Safewill. 

Have you been with us since the beginning?

We’ve been going for 12 years. Readers have been supporting us with donations since we began. If you think that you have been supporting us since our early days (2013/2014) we’d love to know! You’re a special lot, and we’d like to be able to thank you. 

Thank you for being a Friend of The Conversation
 

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THCO | RAISING | Awareness, Support and Funds for empowering future generations with a gift today

[Edited extract from public address]

Good journalism is vital for democracy but it does more than help us decide how to vote. 

It also helps us decide what to eat to stay healthy, or how to keep our children safe online, or how to protect ourselves against a highly contagious virus. Reliable information makes market economies more efficient and it helps us understand our environment, our culture, and our history. It underpins the health and well-being of society.

Unfortunately, the media has become increasingly compromised and disfigured by social media. Algorithms serve up outrage and opinion with no regard to accuracy. Quality information is harder to find.

For 12-years now, the Conversation has been a bulwark against this trend. We provide evidence-based coverage written by academics to give readers the information they need to make better decisions. We are independent and unbiased. We work hard to take the heat out of issues and focus on solutions to make the world a better place. It's vital work which will only become more essential in the future.

We have been able to do this due to the support of donors like you. Donors who understand that a world where quality information is freely available, helps everyone. If you would like to extend your impact, please consider supporting the Conversation with a gift in your Will. You can learn more about what’s involved here and if you are ready to leave a legacy gift, you can do so here.
We want to make a lasting difference in the world around us. We hope you will join us in leaving a legacy that can make our society stronger, fairer, more informed and more empowered.

Best wishes,
Misha Ketchell, Editor


Write your Will with partners Safewill

You can create your Will online with our partners at Safewill. Safewill is Australia’s leading online Will writing platform providing a safe, easy and affordable way to create your Will and leave a lasting legacy to the causes you care about. Currently, they are offering a discount of 50% to Conversation readers. Alternatively, you can wait until the 'Include a Charity' promotion running from 4-10 September to submit your Will for free with Safewill.

The process allows you to include any number of charities, and you don’t even have to include us (but we’d be grateful if you did).

Hear from a Legacy Supporter

"Having made the decision to include several gifts in my will, it then wasn’t too difficult for me to decide on the benefactors. I wanted my bequests to support issues which I care deeply about and which I believe will have a lasting benefit on the future of our community and our country…The Conversation ticked all the boxes for me." – Pamela McLure, Friend of The Conversation and Legacy Supporter

Have questions?

Queries, concerns and ideas, all are welcome! Feel free to email our bequests manager Helen Johnstone - she’s free for a chat over the phone, Zoom or by email (and geography permitting, she does like a chat over a cuppa too!)

Let us thank you

We think that there are a few kind souls who have remembered us in their Will but have not let us know. Understanding who has included us is really important as we plan our next chapter, and it ensures that your wishes are carried out according to your intentions.

Telling us of your generosity is much appreciated, and of course, we are happy to keep your gift anonymous if you prefer.

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THCO | RAISING | Awareness, Support and Funds for fighting misinformation in the age of AI

[Edited extract from public address]

Halfway through our donations campaign and we've been humbled by the response. 

So far more than 10,000 generous people have made a contribution to help us keep quality information free. But we still need 5,000 more donors before the end of June to help support our work in the year ahead.

The arrival of artificial intelligence has highlighted the urgent need for freely available, trustworthy information of the sort provided by The Conversation. 
Google has announced that soon, when you search a question on its site, the first result displayed will be an AI-generated answer drawn from the open web. But many of the most trustworthy sources of information –academic journals, high-quality newspapers – are locked behind a paywall. ​​There is a real chance​​​​​ the AI-powered search engines that will shape our lives will be biased toward misinformation or even falsehoods. In such a world, open sources of quality information like The Conversation are vital.

Our journalists and academics do the hard work of researching, fact-checking and evaluating sources. Because of the generosity of our donors, our work is free to read and free to republish. This makes us one of the few trusted sources of high quality information on the open web. Please help us keep expert knowledge free by donating today.
 

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THCO | RAISING | Awareness, Support and Funds for Empowering people with solutions-focused journalism

[Edited extract from public address]

Everyone needs access to the best and most up-to-date information to make important decisions in their lives, whether it be who to vote for, or what to do about an unusual cough, or how to plan for climate change. 

At The Conversation we produce independent journalism that aims to be constructive and offer solutions to you. That’s why we only work with bona fide experts and give away our journalism for free.

Too often the media falls short, distracted by social media, commercial pressures and the daily struggle to survive. In recent weeks Vice and Buzzfeed, two ambitious digital news outlets trying to produce quality journalism, have been shuttered or sold.

We want to help fix the failing media ecosystem so we are asking you to help fund our newsroom. No one should miss out on reliable and unbiased information because they can’t afford to pay, so we ask those who can afford it to give what they can to support our work.

We are two weeks into our donations campaign and thousands of generous people have made a contribution so far but we need more support. Please make a donation today, every little bit helps.
 

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THCO | RAISING | Awareness, Support and Funds for making media more constructive

[Edited extract from public address]

Everyone needs access to the best and most up-to-date information to make important decisions in their lives, whether it be who to vote for, or what to do about an unusual cough, or how to plan for climate change.

At The Conversation we produce independent journalism that aims to be constructive and offer solutions to you. That’s why we only work with bona fide experts and give away our journalism for free.

Keep us free

Too often the media falls short, distracted by social media, commercial pressures and the daily struggle to survive. In recent weeks Vice and Buzzfeed, two ambitious digital news outlets trying to produce quality journalism, have been shuttered or sold.

We want to help fix the failing media ecosystem so we are asking you to help fund our newsroom. No one should miss out on reliable and unbiased information because they can’t afford to pay, so we ask those who can afford it to give what they can to support our work.

We are two weeks into our donations campaign and thousands of generous people have made a contribution so far but we need more support. 

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THCO | INVITING | Friends of The Conversation to news conference | Monday 20 March 2023 | 9–11.30am AEDT

[Edited extract from public address]

We are opening up our news conference to the Friends of The Conversation. 

We hope you can join us online to hear from our editorial team as they discuss how we can cover the stories making news.

It’s also your opportunity to tell us what you think. After the news conference, we’d like you to stay online and talk with me and some of our staff. We’re happy to answer your questions and tell you more about how we work. We will also update you on our Voice to Parliament coverage and share how the results from our latest reader survey have informed our coverage. The event is free so please join us on March 20.

Also, for those of you who are unable to join us next week, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support. I’m not sure we say it enough, but we rely on readers like you who make generous donations, whether it be a one-off gift or an affordable monthly contribution. 

Your selflessness enables us to produce more unique evidence-based journalism that will empower more people to make better-informed decisions. That’s our small but important contribution to the health of our community, and it’s all made possible by you.

Thank you so much.
Best wishes 
Misha Ketchell


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THCO | RAISING | Awareness, Support and Funds for explanatory journalism written by experts | Tuesday 14 February 2023

[Edited extract from public address]

The referendum on the Voice to Parliament could be the most important decision many Australians will make this year. 

To get it right we need a sober and informed public debate drawing on expertise and accurate reporting. This is where The Conversation has a vital role to play: we publish explanatory journalism written by experts that cuts through the hyperbole to provide clarity.

We are committed to playing a role that is non-partisan and educational and we don’t want to merely amplify the agendas set by others. That’s why this week we are sending readers a short survey with a simple question:  "What do you need to know about the Voice to Parliament referendum?" Your feedback will inform our coverage so please click on the link and let us know your thoughts. 

I’d like to tell you more about one key aspect of our Voice to Parliament coverage. Reports such as the 2022 Reuters Digital News Report tell us that social media platforms that feature video and animated content play a key role in engaging younger news consumers and those from diverse communities.  

These platforms are also fertile ground for misinformation and assumption. Recently, our multi-media team received a seed grant that will support the rollout of a civic education campaign across social media platforms, but we need more funding to build our digital resourcing and implementation. If you can help with this work, please consider making a donation today.

We’ve got a lot to do and I’d better get on with it.  If you want to know more about our plans, read on to find out when you can join a Conversation news conference. Questions and ideas following the conference are always welcome! 

Best wishes
Misha Ketchell

P.S. Professor Mark Scott AO was last week appointed the new chair of The Conversation board. Mark is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney and was previously Managing Director of the ABC and Secretary of the NSW Department of Education. It’s hard to think of anyone better equipped to lead The Conversation’s next phase. We’re pleased to welcome him and also thank Professor Julianne Schultz AM FAHA for her three years of distinguished service as Chair.
 

CUTTING | Through the noise: Voice to Parliament

Support our digital education campaign. Our multimedia team are working hard to develop our digital storytelling to support our Voice to Parliament coverage. 

If you would like to help us seed the digital space with accurate and independent information that combats misinformation and encourages respectful discourse, please make a donation to The Conversation today.
 

WEBINAR | Join us for Conversation news conference | Monday 20 March 2023 | 9–11.30am AEDT

News conference is at the heart of how The Conversation works. It is where our editors pitch ideas, discuss the news agenda and latest research.

We invite our supporters to join us online for a peek at how The Conversation is made and hear more about our plans for 2023. Please note you will only be allowed to observe the news conference but please stay online after the conference has finished to hear directly from our editor Misha Kitchell. This will also be your opportunity to put your questions to our editor and share your thoughts on our work.

ASKING | Would you like to see more of us?

Supporters of The Conversation show us that what we do is valued. Contributions help us develop new approaches to digital storytelling, grow our editorial capacity and keep our content free of paywalls and ads.

We're not ones for glitzy gala dinners (we spend our funds on coverage, not canapés) but we would like to offer our valued donors an opportunity to meet our team and gain a deeper understanding of our work. Please let us know what kind of events you would value by answering two questions (click the button below to let us know your thoughts).
 

APPOINTING | Mark Scott Chair of The Conversation Media Group

"My observation as Vice-Chancellor is that The Conversation has afforded our scholars unique opportunities to engage in and lead public debate on key issues of vital importance to Australian society - from pandemic preparedness to gender equity in the workforce.

I also see the important role The Conversation plays in providing quality research to journalists and broadens access to deep disciplinary experts, particularly given the significant decline in subject matter experts in our nation's newsrooms."
Professor Mark Scott AO, recently appointed Chair of The Conversation Media Group

ENGAGING | Conversation events in Brisbane | 25 March 2023

Join The Conversation's Lee Constable at the World Science Festival in Brisbane for 'Ask me anything (about the human body)'.

Our panel of experts will tackle such gnarly questions as: Is there a right position to sleep in? Are sugar rushes real? And are manicures bad for your health?

Speakers:
  • Dr Mike Todorovic (Griffith University)
  • Lauren Ball (The University of Queensland)
  • Christian Moro (Bond University)
All our Friends of the Conversation receive a 20% discount.
  • Where: World Science Festival in Brisbane
  • Cost: Get 20% discount by visiting the WSFB website, adding tickets to your basket and using ‘WSFBGUEST23’ in the Promotion Code box and clicking 'apply'.
  • Bookings: Secure your tickets for this interactive evening that will illuminate the body from head to toe.

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THCO | UPDATING | Stakeholder report and more | Wednesday 21 December 2022

[Edited extract from public address]

As the year draws to a close, I am reminded of just how important partnership and collaboration is to the work we do. 

Our editors work with academic experts who are deeply knowledgeable. As journalists we have to understand that we’re never the smartest person in the room and defer to their expertise. Our authors generously give their time and energy and submit to rigorous editing to make their work accessible.

We also rely on universities, philanthropic support, volunteer board members and dedicated staff. The fruits of all these generous contributions are chronicled in our annual stakeholder report which I really encourage you to read. You’ll find within its pages the top articles by section and a summary from the editors on some of their stand-out moments. 

The report also includes information on what happens after the work is published. It's a side of our work that we probably don’t talk about enough, but as a not-for-profit that exists to share knowledge and inform decisions, this aspect of our contribution is a reminder of the vital role we play in amplifying the work of our authors.  

We're proud of all we have achieved this year, but we know that none of this would be possible without the generosity of our supporters. And we know that your commitment to the Conversation goes beyond your financial contributions.

We discovered through our recent Reader Survey that so many of you share and recommend our work to others. You also took the time to respond to our Set the Agenda callout which helped guide our federal election coverage. At every turn, you have responded when we have asked for guidance and support. It’s as inspiring as it is humbling. 

From all of us at the Conversation, thank you for your faith in us and we wish you a very merry Christmas and a joyous holiday. 

Best wishes,
Misha Ketchell
 

2022 Stakeholder report

"I truly believe that TC should be compulsory reading for everyone. It’s a great way to start the day. Nothing quite like an assurance that some of the seemingly intractable problems are being addressed by highly talented people."
– Joyce Kirk, Friend of the Conversation

Left your gift buying to the last minute?

We can help.

To satisfy the intellectually curious of any age, look no further!

Why Do Tigers Have Whiskers?  is a beautifully illustrated book that explores some of life’s most pressing (and adorable) questions, answered by leading experts. Included in the book are some of the most popular questions submitted by children to The Conversation’s long-running Curious Kids series.

The Conversation: 2022 Reckoning with Power and Privilege explores the potent forces that continue to shape our world and discusses how those with the privilege of power don't always prevail. 

Available to buy at a bookshop near you or online here.
 

Speaking of gifts...

The support of readers like you is essential to everything we do. If you haven’t donated yet in 2022 and would like to, you still can. 

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PPLS | GATHERING | In conversation with Carly Findlay and Renay Barker-Mulholland | Thursday 1 December 2022 | 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Join Carly Findlay OAM in conversation with Renay Barker-Mulholland about their shared experiences as disability activists and educators. 

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations observed day aimed at increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. International Day of People with Disability

To celebrate IDPwD, our libraries are hosting a very special evening author talk with two national champions for disablity inclusion and advocacy.

Carly is an award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist. Her first book, a memoir called Say Hello, was released in January 2019. 

Renay is a proud disabled Biripi/Dungutti woman, and a staunch feminist who is dedicated to fighting for disability justice. 
  • Where: St Kilda Library
  • Cost: The event is FREE but bookings are essential.
  • Bookings: online via PPLS

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PPLS | SHOWCASING | "Born to be Wild" by FOG Theatre | Thursday 1 December 2022 | 12noon-1pm

[Edited extract from public address]

Get your body moving. Head out to the library. Join in the adventure as Fog Theatre comes your way.

As a part of our International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) party we are excited to announce that FOG Theatre will be joining us for a range of music, songs, dance and performances throughout the library.

For one short hour we invite you all to put your browsing and borrowing aside to watch the majestic mayhem of FOG Theatre as they bring the library alive.
  • Watch: "We got the Magic!" (3 mins) music video to see the FOG Theatre in action for IDPwD 2020.
  • Where: St Kilda Library
  • Cost: Free
  • Bookings: No bookings needed, just come along and bring your dancing shoes.

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City of Port Phillip
Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia
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