“Public trust” journalism is an essential element of a functioning,
informed democracy. It is just as important, in its own way, as the
parliament or the judiciary.

By “public trust” journalism I
refer to journalism that applies scrutiny, analysis and accountability
to governments, parliaments, politicians, public servants, judges,
police, councils, the military, NGOs, diplomats, business and community
leaders and the recipients of public funding.

This journalism
includes investigative reporting, analysis and feature writing,
commentary, opinions, editorials, campaigns as well as the day-to-day
reporting of parliaments, councils, courts, tribunals, wars, stock
exchanges and all the other tentacles of the polity, the judiciary and
the democracy.”