Pearls and Irritations depends on its readers to remain free and independent. David Armstrong explains why their support is vital as P&I reaches a growing audience seeking progressive perspectives.
When I started at university, I studied medicine but the examiners were to take a different view of my future. I then flirted with teaching before deciding I wanted to become a journalist. I was appointed editor of Tharunka, the UNSW student newspaper, and the position came with a bonus: a small allowance from The Australian and the chance of a job with the then-new national newspaper.
But first I had to go and see the News Limited chief in charge of this arrangement, the general manager, Mr John Menadue. The meeting was short. Mr Menadue, as I then addressed him, was not keen on small-talk.
A year later I started with The Australian and I went on to have a career in Australia and Asia.
I met John for a second time about ten years ago. He was visiting Bangkok, where I live, and we had lunch with friends. He asked if I would contribute to Pearls and Irritations, which he and Susie Menadue published daily. I agreed as I already followed P&I and thought it was Australia’s best ideas and analysis website.
I’m still writing for P&I.
Early this year John stepped back from the task of running P&I, although he remains our number one contributor. I was honoured and delighted to follow him as chair of the P&I company and editor-in-chief of the media operation.
P&I is free, in two senses. Our contributors are free to express their ideas and we do not charge our readers. We are not owned, or supported, by rich individuals or corporate bosses. We do not accept advertising or government funding.
We maintain our independence by accepting financial support only from our readers.
During August and September, we are asking readers to help us carry on our work, either by donating for the first time, resuming their donations or increasing their existing donations a little
We need to raise $250,000 to keep P&I running and growing, to continue the day-by-day work of compiling, editing and publishing the website, the daily and weekly email newsletters, and the social media posts that deliver P&I to our readers and search out new ones.
We have a tiny staff and we do not pay lavish salaries. Our team works remotely and we do not have expensive offices. Most importantly, our contributors are generous with their time, energy, knowledge and insights: their reward is the opportunity to share their thoughts and connect with eager readers.
As the centre of gravity of Australian politics shifts to the right, with the established media not far behind, the need for a free and fearless media is deeper than ever. Australians are looking for sources of independent, progressive views: over the past year, an extra 250,000 readers have started following P&I, with a growing number of younger Australians joining our community.
Please help us continue this important work and consider making a donation here.
David Armstrong is the Editor-in-Chief of Pearls and Irritations. David is one of Australia’s best respected reporters, editors and media executives, with more than five decades of experience in Australia and Asia. A contributor for more than 10 years, David writes a regular column on Asian media.