Data dictionary
The data dictionary describes the fields included in PIPI’s public datasets and interfaces. It is intended to help users understand what each field represents, how values are recorded, whether classifications are defined by PIPI or drawn from external sources, and any important limitations on interpretation. Internal administrative and workflow fields are not included.
Outlets table
The Outlets dataset contains the core record of news outlets included in PIPI. It combines outlet identity, operational status, publishing format, geographic coverage, operating entity information, and historical version and change fields. Each record represents a version of an outlet, allowing significant structural changes to be preserved over time while some non-versioned fields reflect the current known state.
| Field | Dataset | Definition | Type | Permitted values | Source | Versioned | Notes |
| Name | Outlets | Name under which the news outlet operates. | Text | Free text | PIPI-defined | Yes | Historical names are preserved through Versions where a name change is recorded. |
| Outlet ID | Outlets | Stable public identifier assigned to the outlet. | Text | PIPI-O-XXXXXX | PIPI-defined | N/A | Persists across all Versions of the same outlet. |
| Record ID | Outlets | Legacy numeric identifier assigned to the outlet. | Integer | Positive integer | PIPI-defined | N/A | |
| Outlet Start | Outlets | Date from which the outlet is recorded as operating within PIPI’s historical record. | Date | YYYY-MM-DD | PIPI-defined | No | Outlets already operating before data period commences on 1 January 2019 are recorded as 2018/12/31; this is not their actual establishment date. |
| Outlet End | Outlets | Date on which the outlet is recorded as having ceased operation. | Date | YYYY-MM-DD or blank | PIPI-defined | No | |
| Outlet Status | Outlets | Operational status of the outlet within the Version. | Controlled text | Open; Inactive; Closed | PIPI-defined | Yes | |
| Primary Format | Outlets | Primary publishing format of the outlet. | Controlled text | Digital; Print | PIPI-defined | Yes | An outlet with a physical print edition is classified as Print; otherwise it is Digital. |
| Sub Formats | Outlets | Specific formats through which the outlet distributes news content. | Multi-value controlled text | Dedicated App; Digital Print Edition; Livestream; Magazine; Newsletter; Newspaper; Podcast; Radio; Social Media; Television; Website | PIPI-defined | No | Represents current known formats rather than a complete historical series. |
| Print Schedule | Outlets | Frequency at which an outlet’s print edition is published. | Controlled text | Daily (M-Su); Daily (M-Sa); 4x week; 3x week; 2x week; Weekly; Fortnightly; Every three weeks; Monthly; Every two months; Quarterly; Infrequent; Other | PIPI-defined | Yes | Only applicable to Print primary format outlets. |
| Entity Name | Outlets | Legal entity or entities responsible for operating the outlet. | Linked record / multi-value text | Linked PIPI Entity records | PIPI / ABR | Yes | |
| Entity Type | Outlets | Legal or organisational type of the operating entity or entities associated with the outlet. | Lookup / controlled text | ABR Entity Types | ABR | No | |
| Scale | Outlets | Geographic scale at which the outlet principally operates. | Controlled text | Community; Local; Metropolitan; State/territory; National | PIPI-defined | Yes | See Methodology for classification rules. |
| State | Outlets | State or territory in which the outlet principally operates. | Linked record / controlled text | Australian states and territories | PIPI-defined | Yes | |
| URL | Outlets | Primary web address for the outlet. | URL | URL or blank | Observed | No | |
| LGAs | Outlets | Local Government Areas regularly covered by the outlet. | Linked record / multi-value controlled text | 2025 ABS LGA classification | PIPI / ABS | No | |
| Version ID | Outlets | Identifier assigned to a particular historical Version of an outlet. | Integer | Record ID.XX | PIPI-defined | N/A | |
| Version Start | Outlets | Date from which the Version applies. | Date | YYYY-MM-DD | PIPI-defined | N/A | |
| Version End | Outlets | Date on which the Version ceases to apply. | Date | YYYY-MM-DD or blank | PIPI-defined | N/A | |
| Version Status | Outlets | Whether the Version is current or has been replaced by a later Version. | Controlled text | Current; Superseded | PIPI-defined | N/A | |
| Change Category | Outlets | Broad classification of the Change associated with the Version. | Controlled text | Expansion; Contraction; Other | PIPI-defined | N/A | |
| Change Type | Outlets | Type of Change associated with the Version. | Controlled text | Outlet opened; Outlet closed; Ownership change; Other | PIPI-defined | N/A | |
| As at Date | Outlets | Reference date to which the quarterly public release is current. | Date | YYYY-MM-DD | Release metadata | N/A |