The Albanese Government continues to back journalism and publishers that keep our local communities informed and engaged.

Applications for the $31.5 million News Innovation Fund, which supports news producers to innovate and adapt to the evolving media landscape, are now open.

Grants will range from $10,000 to $9 million for projects that help Australian newsrooms to grow their audience, expand their revenue streams and build organisational capability.

This follows the success of the Albanese Government’s Journalism Assistance Fund, which is delivering $67.6 million of support to more than 2,000 journalists across 185 Australian news publishers.

The Times News Group is one of more than 90 regional media organisations to receive funding, with $624,000 to support the ongoing employment of 18 journalists. The Group produces trusted local newspapers for 14 regional communities across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

The National Indigenous Radio Service (NIRS) will also see $179,400 to maintain the employment of 5 journalists. NIRS provides perspectives and reporting on news and current affairs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

These initiatives are part of the Government’s broader $153.5 million investment in the News Media Assistance Program, which supports public interest journalism and media diversity.

For more information and to apply for the News Innovation Fund click here.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, Anika Wells:

“The Albanese Government supports a strong, diverse and sustainable news sector and we know local news outlets keep communities informed, connected and engaged.

“We need Australians telling Australian stories and that can’t happen without backing Australian journalists in our communities.

“Australia’s news media sector faces significant pressures driven by rapid tech changes, changing readership habits and the movement of advertising revenue away from traditional news outlets.

“We are investing more than $150 million to keep journalists in their jobs, support media literacy and help the sector innovate, delivering for their local communities in a rapidly changing media environment.”