Sezen Bakan
sezenbakan.bsky.social
Sezen Bakan
@sezenbakan.bsky.social
Writer | Editor | Journalist
Views are my own, likes/reposts ≠ endorsement.
Frustrated with the lack of Australian outlets taking young people's political opinions seriously, Hannah Ferguson co-founded Cheek Media in 2020 and built a strong following.

She talked me through the journey and filling mainstream media’s gaps: piji.com.au/blog/hannah-...
Building Cheek Media and surviving a ‘toxic’ news cycle
Five years of well-timed incisive analysis and refinement of digital offerings created a profitable venture with thousands of engaged subscribers.
piji.com.au
October 26, 2025 at 7:26 AM
As authoritarian pressure on journalism mounts, I spoke with former foreign correspondent Peter Greste about his experience being persecuted for his work and IFJ, Asia-Pacific regional director Jane Worthington on alliances needed to protect press freedom.

piji.com.au/blog/democra...
‘Dismantling’ of democracy chipping away at press freedom
A decade since Peter Greste’s release from an Egyptian prison, the safety of journalists working to fulfil their role as guardians of truth has deteriorated.
piji.com.au
October 8, 2025 at 1:21 AM
As the year nears its end, Australia still awaits movement on promised government measures intended to support a sustainable public interest journalism sector.

piji.com.au/blog/progres...

#NewsMAP #NewsBargainingIncentive
Progress urged for News MAP and News Bargaining Incentive
As the year nears its end, Australia still awaits movement on promised government measures to support a sustainable public interest journalism sector.
piji.com.au
October 7, 2025 at 4:22 AM
At a time when technology makes it easier than ever to trick and mislead, media literacy is vital.

Yet too many Australians lack the necessary skillset to sort truth from false.

piji.com.au/blog/combatt...
Why Australia's media literacy must improve
At a time when technology makes it easier than ever to mislead, media literacy is vital. Yet too many Australians lack the skillset to sort truth from false.
piji.com.au
September 10, 2025 at 4:27 AM
@6newsau.bsky.social founder Leo Puglisi began reporting at just 11 years old.

He told me he understands the intention of Australia's upcoming social media ban for under-16s, but is confident it will not be effective.

Read more: piji.com.au/blog/social-...

@piji-au.bsky.social
6 News founder labels social media age ban ‘ineffective’
Leo Puglisi began reporting at 11 years old. Now he is watching the government restrict young people’s access to the platforms on which he built his career.
piji.com.au
September 9, 2025 at 3:03 AM
From @piji-au.bsky.social’s September newsletter:

The credibility of public interest journalism relies on factual reporting, yet media teams committed to uncovering the truth are struggling to endure.

piji.com.au/blog/fact-ch...
Fact checkers under fire
The credibility of public interest journalism relies on factual reporting, yet media teams committed to uncovering the truth are struggling to endure.
piji.com.au
September 8, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Initially a four-week fiery burst of protest in the wake of the 2016 Brexit referendum, The New World continues to grow nine years on – relying solely on reader revenue.

Founder and editor-in-chief Matt Kelly tells me how: piji.com.au/blog/the-new...
From weeks to years: How The New World keeps spinning
Initially a four-week fiery burst of protest in the wake of the 2016 Brexit referendum, The New World is thriving nine years on – and is intent on going global.
piji.com.au
August 5, 2025 at 12:42 AM
From @piji-au.bsky.social’s August newsletter:

A last-minute lifeline thrown by the federal government to the Local & Independent News Association kept the doors from shutting on one of Australia’s most active supporters of small news publishers.

piji.com.au/blog/lina-fu...
LINA back from the brink after News MAP delays
A last-minute lifeline thrown by the government kept the doors from shutting on one of Australia’s most active supporters of small news publishers.
piji.com.au
August 4, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Reposted by Sezen Bakan
Facing a shaky future and seeing fellows fall, merge, or erect paywalls to survive, the Guardian turned to its large global readership for aid almost a decade ago and has not looked back.

Read more: piji.com.au/blog/guardia...

#PIJI #publicinterestjournalism #journalism #guardian #guardianaus
The call for help that paid off for the Guardian, and what’s next
Facing a shaky future and seeing fellows fall, merge, or erect paywalls to survive, the Guardian turned to its large global readership for aid, and has not looked back.
piji.com.au
July 9, 2025 at 6:10 AM
New year, new you – unless the old you loved reading, in which case, don’t change a thing.

From gardening to YA queer romance, here are some top summer reads (based on new releases and what bookshops say are flying off shelves).

www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/enterta...
Gardening, romance and sport: TND's top 10 summer reads
From tips on how to grow your own fruit and veg in any local climate to Australian queer romance, here's TND's summer reading picks.
www.thenewdaily.com.au
January 3, 2024 at 7:43 AM
Qantas’ new year isn’t looking much better than the last, with the airline facing allegations of deceptive conduct over its booking system. www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/2023/12...
MP takes aim at Qantas over alleged ‘price-gouging’
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie is set to lodge a complaint over alleged deceptive conduct by Qantas, adding to the airline's pile of woes.
www.thenewdaily.com.au
January 3, 2024 at 7:41 AM