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Judith Neilson backs journalism for the long haul, despite board exodus

The billionaire philanthropist is not deserting her non-profit institute, but she wants a change 'in direction and emphasis'.

Amber Schultz

Jun 22, 2022

Billionaire philanthropist Judith Neilson has no intention of closing her eponymous $100 million journalism and ideas institute despite reports that she believes money flowing into journalism from Facebook and Google has placed the industry on a sounder financial footing.

The Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas has been rocked by mass board resignations which, insiders say, were in protest against plans to remove its executive director, Mark Ryan, a former adviser to Paul Keating.

Former NSW chief justice James Spigelman, journalist Paul Kelly from The Australian, Free TV CEO Bridget Fair and CEO of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation Kate Torney all resigned last week. None has elaborated on their decision.

About the Author

Amber Schultz

Associate Editor @AmberMaySchultz

Amber covers health and social affairs for Crikey. She has been shortlisted for two Young Walkley Awards, was the 2021 Mumbrella Young Writer of the Year for her coverage of sexual violence, and in 2018 completed the Jacoby-Walkley scholarship. She holds two Master degrees and previously worked for The Age, Nine News and ABC's Tonightly.