Public Interest Journalism

Journalism as the “Fourth Estate” has long been held up as one of the core pillars of a healthy democracy. But as the crises of a shifting business model and declining trust in institutions hit the journalism industry, it has struggled – with dire potential and actual consequences for democracies across the world.  The Shorenstein Center aims to amplify this critical role that journalism plays in shining a light on issues and triggering action within democratic societies. Our programs lift up exceptional journalism that is making a difference, and produce research on the ways that journalism serves the public interest and public good.