Trust in journalism is under pressure, while audiences are increasingly struggling to distinguish reliable journalism from low-quality and AI-generated content.

In response, a new initiative is taking shape: Journalism Australia, a proposed independent professional association for journalists.

Journalism Australia will set professional and ethical standards for its members, provide an independent complaints process, and introduce a credibility marker to help audiences identify journalism that meets those standards.

Importantly, membership will be voluntary. Journalism Australia will not restrict anyone’s right to publish or interfere with freedom of expression. It will also be democratically governed by journalists themselves, independent of government, the media industry and any single organisation or individual.

The Journalism Australia website has launched, providing journalists and audiences with an opportunity to learn more about the proposal, share their views and get involved in shaping the development of the new professional association.

The initiative is calling on journalists to explore the website, contribute their perspectives and help ensure Journalism Australia is shaped by journalists and their audiences, for journalists and their audiences.

Journalism Australia aims to strengthen trust in journalism while protecting the independence and freedom that underpin the profession.

“Australian’s trust in the media is at an all time low, while demand for reliable information is higher than ever. Journalism Australia is a professional movement committed to upholding and signposting creators of high quality journalism that aims to build trust amongst readers and audiences.” Peter Greste, Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom