Meta and the Walkley Foundation have announced the second round of the Meta Australian News Fund today.
The program is open to media organisations and independent journalists and is split into two streams:
1. The Digitial Innovation Fund: a $2.5 million fund aimed at helping newsrooms invest in digital projects to support economic sustainability
2.The Public Interest Journalism Fund: a $2.5 million fund to invest in public journalism from newsrooms and independent journalists to encourage media diversity
Applications for the fund are now open, with a preference for both funds steered towards publications that serve underrepresented audiences, such as LGBTQI+, First Nations people, gender diverse, regional or rural and economically disadvantaged communities. Digital-only applications and journalists with a disability will also be given preference.
Andrew Hunter, Meta Australia’s News Partnerships Lead said: “This fund continues to provide opportunities for media organisations and independent journalists to innovate and create self-sustaining business models.
“In this second round, funds will be optimised towards digital-first publications and applicants that serve underrepresented audiences in Australia.”
Eligible Australian-based journalists and newsrooms can apply to either or both funds, with the Walkley Foundation administering the funds. The Walkley Foundation will also appoint an independent judging panel to review the applications and make decisions based on the funds’ criteria.
CEO of the Walkley Foundation Shona Martyn said: “I have been excited to see the progress of the journalism projects that were funded in the first round.
“Australian communities and news consumers have undoubtedly benefited as a result. This second round encourages a broader range of applicants and projects with the aim of increasing media diversity and awarding funding to underrepresented groups across Australia.”
Applications for the Meta Australia News Fund close on October 7, 2022, and successful recipients will be announced before the end of March 2023.