Federal Government: Local media bolstered by $180 million fund to support news organisations

Local media will be bolstered by a $180 million fund to support news organisations to be announced on Monday by the Federal Government.

The News Media Assistance Program will lean on an expert advisory panel to speak to the appropriate measures to support the industry.

Among the $180 million fund includes $33m over three years for the Australian Associated Press newswire service, and a further $116.7 million over four years to support and build the sustainability and capacity of news organisations so they can deliver public interest journalism and local news.

Labor will also extend advertising into regional newspapers to the tune of $3 million.

The funding commitment comes after the Government gave an ultimatum to the parent companies of Facebook, Google and Tiktok last week of millions of dollars in fines or fresh deals with media companies to pay for news content under a bid to maintain the viability of public interest journalism.

Starting from January 1, the government will set up a news bargaining incentive to strengthen the existing news media bargaining code struck in 2021.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said Government was eager to support the ongoing publishing of local news and public interest journalism.

“Informed by extensive public and industry-wide consultation, the News MAP builds on the Albanese Government’s support for a strong, diverse and independent media sector with a new policy framework and range of new measures to support news and public interest journalism,” she said.

“Local news and community broadcasting is at the heart of local communities and makes a vital contribution to national identity and media diversity in Australia.

“Community broadcasters provide millions of Australians with localised news, information and entertainment and the Government is providing additional funding as it works with the sector on the Community Broadcasting Sector Sustainability Review”.