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........

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