Critical funding for public interest journalism in COVID-19

The Morrison Government has today brought forward the release of $5 million from its Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund to support public interest journalism during COVID-19.

The multi-year $48 million Innovation Fund, which began in 2018, is part of the Government’s Regional and Small Publishers Jobs and Innovation Package, designed to boost sustainability and the ongoing production of news in the modern media environment.

The Fund has been enhanced-with more organisations eligible to apply and a greater emphasis on sustainability. This round will be open to regional and metropolitan publishers and content service providers producing public interest journalism.

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said:

“Following extensive consultation, I have adjusted the Fund so that money is available as quickly as possible to help publishers keep journalists in jobs and local communities informed.

“Many media organisations, particularly those in regional areas, are facing significant financial strain due to the community’s necessary response to COVID-19.

“As we face these unprecedented challenges together, the media’s role in producing quality news and providing Australians with timely and accurate information is crucial. This provides critical support at a time it’s needed most.”

/Public Release. View in full here.