<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>335411</docID> <postdate>2024-12-16 10:01:18</postdate> <headline>Government injects $180m to boost ‘vital’ local news</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-335412" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20170614001309093780-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Public-interest journalism and media diversity are key considerations of news industry support. (Dan Peled/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Emily Verdouw </strong>in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Local news and community broadcasting is at the core of a $180 million media funding package that includes support for national newswire Australian Associated Press.</strong></p> <p>The Albanese government overnight revealed plans of its News Media Assistance Program, known as News Map, which plots a path for services considered critical to Australian democracy.</p> <p>The four-year program is designed to support media sustainability in a contracting market, with an expert advisory panel to guide its rollout, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said.</p> <p>"Local news and community broadcasting is at the heart of local communities and makes a vital contribution to national identity and media diversity," the minister said in a statement.</p> <p>Key measures include $116.7 million across four years to help build the sustainability and capacity of news organisations as they deliver public-interest journalism.</p> <p>Another $3.8 million will fund Australia's first National Media Literacy Strategy, co-designed with the education and media literacy sectors.</p> <p>Australian Associated Press will receive $33 million across three years, with the minister saying the funding recognised the newswire's "important role in supporting media diversity and providing high-quality news".</p> <p>The not-for-profit newswire's CEO Lisa Davies welcomed the support.</p> <p>"As Australia's only independent national newswire service, AAP is essential democratic infrastructure," she said.</p> <p>"This grant will ensure AAP can continue its crucial role of providing trusted, impartial public-interest journalism to support a diverse media landscape in Australia."</p> <p>The government has also set aside $3 million annually for regional newspaper advertising from 2025-26, providing a revenue boost for regional outlets.</p> <p>Community broadcasters will receive an additional $27 million, with $15 million allocated to the Community Broadcasting Program and $12 million for the Indigenous Broadcasting and Media Program, supporting more than 450 stations.</p> <p>Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said First Nations media played a crucial role in connecting and representing communities.</p> <p>"First nations journalists, broadcasters and media are a vital part of Australia's media landscape," Senator McCarthy said.</p> <p>"They help connect, represent and tell the stories of our communities across the country."</p> <p>The package builds on previous commitments including $15 million for the News Media Relief Program and $10.5 million for the Australian Communications and Media Authority's Diversity Measurement Framework.</p> </body>