Australia Allocates $180.5 Million for Local News

The Albanese Government has announced a landmark $180.5 million investment aimed at bolstering local news and community broadcasting through the newly launched News Media Assistance Program (News MAP). This initiative allocates $153.5 million over four years to support public interest journalism, alongside $33 million for the Australian Associated Press (AAP) to enhance media diversity. Additional funding includes $116.7 million to build the capacity of news organizations and $3.8 million for Australia's first National Media Literacy Strategy. The government also commits a minimum of $3 million annually for regional newspaper advertising, addressing challenges faced by local media due to declining revenue and rising production costs. This funding follows previous commitments to support multicultural, First Nations, and regional publishers, aiming to ensure a resilient media sector critical to Australian democracy. The plan reflects a comprehensive approach to sustain diverse media in a contracting market.