The Government is delivering on its election commitment to develop the News Media Assistance Program (News MAP) to support a diverse and sustainable media sector with funding to assist the Public Interest Journalism Initiative (PIJI).
The 2022-23 Budget committed $4 million for the development of the News MAP to inform longer term news media policy interventions. News MAP is a program of work that will lay the foundations for principled, targeted and evidenced-based support for the news media sector.
PIJI is an independent non-profit company that produces the Australian News Data Report which assesses media diversity and plurality. The Government’s one-off commitment of $900,000 will support PIJI in continuing to collect, analyse, visualise and maintain Australian public interest news and journalism data.
The funding agreement with PIJI is the first of the News MAP early initiatives to be announced. This grant is an important step toward securing the evidence base required to inform news media policy and will help maintain datasets and evidence on changes in the state of public interest journalism and news media production in Australia over time.
Government support for public interest journalism and media diversity in Australia should be principles-based and evidence-informed. This data provides a foundation for consideration of practical policy solutions in support of a diverse and sustainable media sector that serves the public interest.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“Public interest journalism is essential for informed citizens, consumers and communities. People need access to accurate and reliable journalism on issues that matter.
“The News MAP will guide and inform Government support for public interest journalism and media diversity, including with information about the state of the news media landscape across the country.”
