Joined by members of the state ABC Friends group and representatives from Geelong, Castlemaine and Bendigo, the group of about 50 people discussed ways which journalism can be bolstered and supported at a local level.

Maureen MacPhail, one of the event organisers, said the event was organised by community members who were committed to advocating for not only the freedom of the press but that the independence of the publicly funded broadcaster is maintained, particularly in the wake of government raids at the ABC offices and at the home of News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst.

With the media undergoing significant change with the number of voices reporting on affairs around the nation reducing, Ms MacPhail said strong, independent journalism voices, such as those at the ABC, were "key to democracy" so that the nation is able to hear the news without bias.

"There are a lot of voices in the community at present who speak from the perspective of their own interests, whereas journalism, and particularly investigative journalism, can provide the community with a balanced and in-depth understanding of what is happening in our community," Ms MacPhail said.

"Without trying to further anyone's particular interest, it allows our Australian community to make informed decisions about matters that are of importance locally and at a statewide and national level."

Ms MacPhail said these independent voices could be found out the ABC - the nation's free and independent public broadcaster - so ensuring it is properly funded to maintain and advance its role was important.

"We see the ABC as a strong, independent voice at a time when the media itself is undergoing significant change.

"There are mergers and huge reductions in number of journalists and cartoonists being employed but the ABC can maintain a clear voice during this period of time, without any bias, for the benefit of the whole Australian community."

Ms MacPhail said that while the organisation had suffered from significant funding cuts in recent years and certain programs have disappeared, it had been able to advance its work on digital platforms, such as podcasting, and had maintained a high sense of trust within communities.

She said the role of the ABC was an important addition to the voices in rural and regional areas, especially in times of emergency, such as during the current bushfire season.

Working with the representatives from other groups around the state, the group considered what the Ballarat community can do to support independent journalism.

State group member Sally Moseby said the group had been in operation since the mid 1970s in response to funding cuts to the ABC and was now trying to increase its presence in rural and regional areas.

Discussions at the meeting revolved around what other groups have undertaken, such as visiting candidates and local members during election campaigns, writing letters to politicians and raising community awareness of the issue by disseminating information at community festivals and farmers' markets.

Fundraisers have also been organised to raise money, such as film nights or dinners, with key note speakers such as Kerry O'Brien and Jon Faine, in attendance to speak about the importance of the role an independent, free broadcaster can make to the democracy of the country.

The group devised more than 15 ideas which could be launched in Ballarat, some of which included involving younger and diverse people. They will be discussed further at the next meeting.

The group will meet on the first Monday of the month at 2pm at the Bunch of Grapes Hotel on Pleasant St South throughout the year. Anybody is welcome to join.

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