Media which serves the public interest, not only provides vital information communities need to take informed action, it also dispels misinformation, strengthens democratic accountability and boosts sustainable development.

That’s the view of Sheetal Vyas, Founding Executive Director of International Fund for Public Interest Media, who says that amidst COVID-19, accurate and timely information is also a lifesaving public good.

But the pandemic has hit journalism hard, drying up revenue and putting its very existence into question – something that many fear may prove to be a so-called “media extinction event”.

UN News’ Vibhu Mishra spoke to Ms. Vyas, whose fund has a bold, billion dollar rescue plan to help save journalism for the public good, and he began by asking why public service journalism matters.