JMR WITH THE MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS PAUL FLETCHER
The Morrison Government today announced that the Midland Express publisher in Kyneton and The Local in Glenlyon will both receive a share of $5 million after being successful in the 2020 round of the Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, and Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson, said that the funding will help publishers in the Bendigo and Ballarat electorates adapt to the unprecedented challenges in the current media environment, particularly in the face of COVID-19.
“I welcome the news that The Midland Express and The Local have has been successful in this funding round, which will help to keep local jobs in our community,” Senator Henderson said.
“The grant of $34,750 to the Midland Express and $108,000 to The Local will provide a much needed funding boost and will support these much loved and informative regional publishers.”
Minister Fletcher said that this round was expedited so that publishers can keep delivering news and information to local communities at this critical time.
“The Innovation Fund began in 2018 and is part of a Government package to boost sustainability and ongoing production of news in the modern media environment,” Minister Fletcher said.
“The grants will help successful recipients continue to generate public interest journalism through investment digital initiatives, technical upgrades and staff training, as well as supporting salaries.”
The Innovation Fund IS administered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Over 300 applications were assessed by the ACMA, working closely with an independent advisory committee, through a competitive grants process. The ACMA will work with successful applicants to develop and enter into grant agreements as soon as practicable.
The full list of recipients is available on the ACMA’s website at: https://www.acma.gov.au/regional-and-small-publishers-innovation-fund.
In addition to the $5 million Innovation Fund grants, the Government is providing $50 million to 107 regional broadcasters and publishers through the Public Interest News Gathering (PING) program.
5 August 2020