COUNTRY Press Australia has welcomed the federal government’s announcement of a
package to better sustain and support public interest journalism in the years ahead as part
of the News Media Assistance Program (News MAP).
Country Press Australia president Andrew Schreyer said the federal government’s
announcement comes at a vital time for the industry. Regional and local newspapers play a
vital role in their communities which cannot be replicated through other forms of media and
this significant announcement, following various enquiries and a stringent government
process is a welcome relief.
“This is another important plank in the federal government’s efforts to support public
interest journalism and follows the unveiling of the $15M News Media Relief Program, last
week’s announcement of the News Bargaining Incentive, as well as $10.5M for ACMA’s
Media Diversity Measurement Framework,” he said.
The package includes $116.7m to support news production and journalism through
sustainability funding to news media outlets over three years from July 1, 2025, as well as
grants for capacity building and transformational projects to help make news media outlets
more sustainable in the future.
Mr Schreyer said Country Press Australia was keen to learn more about how the funding will
be provided, so that publishers could make informed decisions about their businesses with
the most up-to-date information.
“We are pleased to see other stakeholders such as the Australian Associated Press and the
community and First Nations broadcasting sectors gain much-needed funding”.
“We understand the government might not be able to provide every detail of this important
funding package as quickly as would like, but we need greater clarity, and sooner, for our
publishers.
“Whilst we greatly appreciate the overall announcement, we are disappointed that the
package includes just $3m of advertising. We believe advertising is the single best way to
provide support to the newspaper industry and the $3m falls well short of doing that. This
merely maintains the status quo and reflects a situation that contributes to the ongoing
crisis in the news industry.”
Mr Schreyer said this latest announcement caps a period of significant and much
appreciated investment by the federal government into fostering public interest journalism
that would lay for the foundations for further transformation of the industry.
“The federal government has recognised local media as critical to the health of our
democracy, to social cohesion and to informing regional and rural communities, and we
greatly appreciate their support.”