Free media database · Influencing Contacts
Find journalists and media contacts for your next story or announcement.
Organisations accredited for Open Intelligence get direct journalist email and phone access, saved and reusable media lists, and no limits on searches, contacts or outreach. Access is free forever while the organisation’s account is being used.
Clear answers about free access
These benefits apply once your organisation is accredited for Open Intelligence. Access belongs to the organisation, not an individual team member.
Yes. Once your organisation is accredited for Open Intelligence, free access includes direct journalist email addresses and phone numbers where those details are available in the database.
Yes. You can save targeted media lists and reuse them for future relevant media outreach.
There are no limits on searches, contacts or outreach for accredited organisations. The data-use conditions still apply: relevant outreach to listed media only, no scraping and no sharing database information outside your account.
Access is granted to your organisation, not an individual team member. Once your organisation is accredited for Open Intelligence, access is free forever while the account is being used. It is not a fixed-term free trial.
Unlimited use does not mean unrestricted data use. Only relevant outreach to media listed in the database is permitted. No scraping or sharing database information outside your account. Apply for organisation accreditation.
Definition
A free media database is an online, searchable directory that helps people find media contacts without a paid subscription. Depending on the directory, those contacts may include journalists, editors, publishers, producers and the outlets they work for.
Influencing Contacts is a media database for journalists, PR and communications professionals, and experts. It brings professional profiles and outlets together so people can search, understand a contact’s work and build targeted media lists.
Unlike a static spreadsheet, a searchable directory can reflect changes to a person’s role, outlet or coverage areas. Influencing automatically sources public professional information and updates profiles as those details change. People can claim their profiles to manage their own information.
Understand the offer
These are different ways to research journalists. Compare what you can actually access, not just whether the signup button says “free”.
| Access type | What it is for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Influencing Open Intelligence | Direct journalist emails and phone numbers where available, reusable media lists, and no limits on searches, contacts or outreach. | Organisation accreditation is required. Access is free forever while the account is being used, subject to the data-use conditions. |
| Free trial of a paid database | Evaluate a product during a limited trial period. | When access ends, whether billing starts and what trial restrictions apply. |
| Static media list or spreadsheet | Work from a fixed set of contacts compiled at a particular time. | When it was checked, whether roles are current and whether reuse is permitted. |
Not a fixed-term trial. Once your organisation is accredited for Open Intelligence, the access described above stays free forever while its account is being used.
How do you qualify? Open Intelligence is for credentialled PR professionals with at least 12 months of full-time PR or communications experience. Access is granted to the accredited organisation. Relevant outreach only, no scraping and no sharing outside your account are conditions of access. Apply for Open Intelligence.
Inside the directory
Search people and outlets, then use the profile information available to decide whether a contact is relevant to your work.
Find media professionals and explore their current role, outlet and areas of coverage where those details are available.
Browse the publications and organisations connected with media contacts to understand where a story may fit.
Discover professional sources who can contribute expertise to a story, interview or media briefing.
Direct contact details are included. Accredited organisations can see journalist email addresses and phone numbers where recorded in the database, alongside professional information and contact preferences. Available details vary by profile; respect each journalist’s pitching preferences.
For sourced journalist insights and verification information, read about Open Intelligence.
Getting started
Start with the story, audience or expertise you need, then use the directory to narrow your search.
Apply for Open Intelligence so your organisation can receive the free access described on this page.
Once accredited, research journalists, outlets and coverage areas, including direct journalist emails and phone numbers where available.
Save contacts relevant to your story or campaign, then reuse your lists for future relevant outreach.
Practical PR research
A journalist database helps you find possible contacts. Your media list should include only the people whose reporting and audience match your story. Use these four checks before pitching.
Does the journalist cover the subject of your announcement? Read recent articles rather than relying only on a job title.
Would the outlet’s readers, viewers or listeners care about the story? Check the publication’s geography and editorial focus.
Confirm that the journalist still works at the outlet and covers the relevant beat. An old email list is not proof of a current role.
Use the contact options available on the profile and respect pitching instructions. A relevant shortlist is more useful than a bulk mailing.
For an announcement about a Sydney business, start with the story’s subject and the audience affected. Review relevant business, industry and local outlets, then check which journalists have recently covered similar issues. Only add a contact when you can explain why the story fits their reporting.
Planning your next campaign? Explore our tools for PR and communications teams and news announcements.
Data quality and profile control
Useful media research needs context. Influencing profiles are designed to show professional details, while allowing people to take ownership of their own profile.
Influencing automatically sources public professional information to help keep the directory complete and discoverable.
Profiles are updated as outlets, beats and professional roles change. Always review the profile for the latest available details.
Journalists, experts and other professionals can claim a profile, edit their details and choose how they are contacted.
Read more about Influencing Contacts, including how the directory serves journalists, PR teams and experts.
Who it is for
Influencing connects three communities through one directory. Each group can use the database for a different part of the news process.
Find expert sources, spokespeople and other contacts for a story.
For journalistsResearch relevant journalists and outlets, then build a targeted media list.
For PR and communicationsClaim a professional profile so journalists can discover and contact you.
For expertsFree media database FAQ
Clear answers about free access, profile information and using the Influencing media database.
Free for accredited organisations
Apply for Open Intelligence. Your organisation’s access stays free forever while its account is being used.