Public service journalism, public service media, or public service internet, is when mission-driven organizations report the news and have editorial independence from governments (unlike state media) and for-profit companies.[1][2]
Public service outlets place more emphasis on public-interest reporting such as investigative journalism.[3] In the United States, many struggling for-profit newspapers and radio stations have transformed into nonprofits in order to continue to serve their constituents with the help of new funding streams like foundation grants.[4] The competition from misinformation, whether for profit or political reasons, as well as the dominance of platforms have created challenges for public service media while elevating their importance in providing accurate information to citizens. In order to provide good information, public service outlets need both funding support and a degree of editorial independence.[5]