Since 2021, PINF has surveyed independent news providers to understand the shifting shape and size of the sector. Joe Mitchell, PINF's deputy director, introduces the fifth in the series – which could be the most important yet.
Over the past four years, PINF has collected data from independent news providers to understand the shape and size of the indie news sector.
The surveys have provided an opportunity for news providers to have their say on the big issues affecting them as they seek to serve their communities sustainably.
Our annual reports based on this data have become the go-to evidence base for everyone interested in the sustainability of public interest news. Your contributions have enabled us to have a big impact. In just the last two months we’ve been quoted in reports by the House of Lords, Ofcom, and the Competition and Markets Authority - more on this in next week’s blog!
PINF is now inviting newsrooms to complete this year’s edition: the 2025 Survey of Independent News Providers. The survey will be open until 24 January and is open to all UK-based news providers with a turnover of less than £2m.
Once analysed, the data can help providers to benchmark themselves against sector averages, help PINF understand the sector so we can best direct our resources to support it, and guide government and policymakers to make the right decisions for plural, sustainable public interest news across the UK.
The survey asks questions on the types of content produced, the audience reach, revenue, staffing and impact. It asks what providers see as the big challenges and opportunities facing them in the future. And, this year, it asks for providers’ views on the impact of the BBC on the indie news sector – as the charter review process is now gearing up.
As well as the vital statistics, previous years’ surveys have told powerful stories of the social benefit provided by indie news providers – from inspiring community volunteering to encouraging civic participation, and from amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups to throwing light on corruption. The stories have been truly inspirational. You can read through past reports here.
PINF is urging all indie newsrooms to take this year’s survey – which is shorter and quicker than ever – as 2025 is going to be a critical year. With a new direction being plotted by DCMS via their upcoming local media strategy, it’s a vital time to have up-to-date information on the sector. PINF will aim to brief DCMS on the results as soon as we can.
It should take no more than 15 minutes to complete and as a thank you, one lucky news provider will win £100!
We really look forward to reading this year's submissions and to revealing the findings later in the spring.