Deadline: 7-Oct-22
Are you looking to invest in technology or launch an innovative project in your newsroom? Or do you dream of investing in a public interest journalism project such as a podcast series or documentary but lack the resources to get it off the ground? If yes then, look no further than the Meta Australia News Fund.
For the second year running, Meta is investing AU$5 million to help Australian media organizations and independent journalists launch projects focused on digital innovation or to produce journalism for underrepresented audiences.
The Walkley Foundation independently manages the $15 million Meta Australia News Fund on behalf of Meta. Run over three years, the foundation oversees a selection of successful projects using a rigorous judging process led by industry experts.
Aims
The funding program aims to foster digital innovation and improve public interest journalism in the Australian media, and is part of the global Meta Journalism Project.
Priorities
In 2022, preference will be given to projects which:
- Serve underrepresented audiences including but not limited to: culturally diverse, LGBTQI+, First Nation peoples, gender diverse, regional or rural and economically disadvantaged communities
- Are digital-only publications
- Involve journalists working with a disability
In addition to the above, media organizations focusing on “lifestyle” topics such as the arts, travel and food will be considered as fund recipients. Applicants who have received funds in prior years may also apply for Year 2 funding.
Funding Information
In 2022, the Year 2 funding program is being offered in two streams:
- The Public Interest Journalism Fund (“PIJ Fund”) will allocate up to AU$2.5 million by awarding funding of up to 120,000 to invest in the creation of public interest journalism by newsrooms/journalists and to encourage media diversity. Media organizations and independent journalists are each eligible to apply for a single amount of up to $120,000.
- The Digital Innovation Fund (“DI Fund”) will allocate up to $2.5 million by awarding funding of up to $250,000 to fund digital and innovative newsroom projects that support the sustainability of the business. Media organizations are each eligible for a single amount of up to $250,000.
Eligibility Criteria
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To be eligible for either fund, applicants must:
- Be an Australian-based media organization with its primary business being the creation of news or informative content;
- Have demonstrated business operations for a minimum of one year prior to applying to the Program (based on objective measures such as corporate filings and business name registrations);
- Have a minimum of two full-time journalism staff (or the equivalent) unless you are applying as an individual journalist;
- Publish informative content regularly through a digital channel such as a website, newsletter or social platform;
- Not have a content licensing agreement in place with Meta for Facebook News or video; and
- Be able to contribute to a Meta case study and other marketing initiatives with Meta.
- For individual journalists applying to the PIJ fund only:
- Entrants must be independent journalist(s) working primarily in Australia and must be either Australian citizens or permanent residents.
For more information, visit Walkley Foundation.
For more information, visit https://www.walkleys.com/valuing-journalism/meta-australian-news-fund-2022/