Labor accused of "prejudicial" grants excluding conservative media

The Albanese government has awarded $31.5 million in taxpayer-funded grants to 54 Australian media organisations, and has been criticised for no conservative media outlets being recipients.

Communications Minister Anika Wells published the latest list from The News Innovation Fund, which is part of the Albanese government's $153.5 million News Media Assistance Program, and was formed to support public interest journalism and media diversity.

Wells said the funding will help publishers grow their reach, invest in new revenue streams and solidify their long-term sustainability.

The largest individual grant went to the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, which received $3.02 million.

Country Press Australia was awarded $2.25 million, while the National Indigenous Times received $2.26 million.

French-language publication Le Courrier Australien was granted $293,200.

Shadow communications minister Sarah Henderson last week drew attention toLabor's decision to exclude foreign-owned publishers from the Journalism Assistance Fund, and accused the government of deliberately excluding News Corp publications, which are foreign-owned.

Henderson argued at Senate Estimates that the basis of the decision was disadvantaging long-standing and trusted Australian mastheads.

"I would suggest that there was a very deliberate decision made to exclude News Corp media companies, and I'm talking not just about The Australian but the Herald Sun, the Courier Mail, the Daily Telegraph," she said.

"And yet you're funding the likes of Michael West Media, but not the Herald Sun, not the Courier Mail, not The Australian," she said.

"That seems like it's a very deliberate decision and very, very prejudicial to Australian journalism."

Labor Senator Nita Green noted the different rules governing the News Bargaining Incentive, explaining that News Corp would be eligible for funding under that different scheme.

Henderson insisted that explanation lacked consistency for the media industry.

"I make the case for fairness," she said.