The Albanese Labor Government is supporting local and independent journalism by providing more than $12 million in funding to regional, local suburban, multicultural and First Nations news publishers across Australia.
The News Media Relief Program grants will support more than 1000 journalists across 98 regional, 22 suburban, 3 First Nations and 24 multicultural media organisations.
This funding means publications like the National Indigenous Times, an Indigenous-owned business that centres First Nations voices and issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, was able to subsidise the salaries for 10 fulltime Indigenous journalists.
Another 10 journalists in regional Queensland will be able to continue keep their communities informed thanks to a grant to Central Queensland Media, which owns local news publishers including CQ Today, Emerald Today, Gladstone Today and Leader Today.
Under the program, North East Media also received funding to help 25 journalists continue to service communities plugged into the Cowra Guardian and Wangaratta Chronicle.
For a full list of grant recipients visit Grant Award List: GrantConnect.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications Anika Wells:
"The Albanese Government is supporting almost 150 news organisations from Tweed Valley to Kalgoorlie who will benefit from a share in $12 million so they can continue their important work.
"Local journalists on the ground are incredibly important in keeping communities informed about the issues that impact their lives.
"It is important people have their voices and opinions heard wherever they are which is what media organisations do so well.
"It's just one of the many ways our Government is delivering on its commitment to supporting a vibrant, diverse and sustainable media sector and bolster public interest journalism."
