Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield is encouraging regional publishers to apply for their share of $12.4 million in funding to help drive public interest journalism and adapt to the challenges facing the contemporary media environment.
Grants of up to $400,000 are available to print and online news publishers based outside major cities, as part of the Regional and Small Publishers Jobs and Innovation Package.
“Many regional publishers do not have the size and scale to adapt to the challenges facing the media industry, and many are operating from a precarious financial position,” Minister Fifield said.
“The Government recognises the critical role that regional media plays in local communities.”
These grants, which form part of the Government’s $60.4 million Regional and Small Publishers Jobs and Innovation Package, will provide a needed boost for regional publishers.
Eligible regional publishers will be able to apply for funding for a wide range of activities, including acquiring new technology to assist with distributing content to a wider audience, assisting journalists with content production, and training and upskilling of staff.
Funds will be administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), with applications closing on 14 June 2019.
Further information on the grants can be found on the ACMA’s website at: www.acma.gov.au/innovationfund
