52 newsrooms and independent journalists receive AU$5M in funds from the latest round of the Meta Australian News Fund

Today Meta announced that 52 news publishers and independent journalists will be awarded AU$5M in funding from the Meta Australian News Fund, in the latest round of a AUD$15M three-year investment in partnership with the Walkley Foundation. Now in its second year, the fund program has so far supported more than 100 eligible Australian-based newsrooms and journalists to foster innovation and improve public interest journalism in Australia. This year’s successful recipients represent a diverse set of digital-first publications, and publishers that cater to underrepresented audiences such as culturally diverse, LGBTQI+, First Nation peoples, gender diverse, regional, rural, and economically disadvantaged communities and journalists working with a disability. The Walkley Foundation managed the judging process independently of Meta.

Among the 52 recipients are five organisations specialising in Indigenous Affairs, two projects focused on LGBTQI+ audiences, two science-focused publications, three that cover issues related to women and one that will place a journalist working with a disability in Parliament House, Canberra.

“After a successful first year, it’s great to see such a range of important and interesting projects focusing on diverse audiences – including those in rural and regional areas – securing funding in 2023,” Andrew Hunter, Media Partnerships lead for Meta Australia said.

“A new Indigenous youth news channel in language, the digitisation of LGBTQI+ masthead Star Observer’s photo archives, and a series exploring social issues in flood-affected Gympie are just some of the projects that have been awarded funding in this year’s second round. Through this fund and the thoroughness of the Walkley Foundation and its judges we will not only see these important stories emerge, but also a new set of digital transformation projects from news organisations across Australia.” Hunter added.

The Meta Australian News Fund is divided into two funds, the Digital Innovation Fund and the Public Interest Journalism Fund. Both are administered through our ongoing partnership with the Walkley Foundation, which nominated an independent external judging committee to review applications against the funds’ eligibility criteria, which included whether or not the project contributed to the news organisation’s long-term viability or provided a public benefit.

Walkley Foundation chief executive Shona Martyn said: “I am excited by the calibre and breadth of this year’s recipients. The judging process was considered and thorough with leading Australian journalists weighing up the strengths and benefits of a quality field of applicants. I am excited to see what these journalists and news organisations will achieve in the coming 12 months. Judging by the hard work and success of the 2022 recipients, I am confident that this funding makes a tangible difference for news organisations and consumers.”

The Digital Innovation Fund will allocate AU$2.5M, in grants of up to AU$250,000 to help newsrooms invest in digital and innovation projects that support economic sustainability.

The Public Interest Journalism Fund, will also allocate AU$2.5M, providing grants of up to AU$120,000 to invest in the creation of public interest journalism by newsrooms and independent journalists to encourage media diversity.

In 2021, the Meta Australian News Fund in partnership with the Walkley Foundation awarded 54 newsrooms and independent journalists a combined AU$5M in funding. As a result of this funding, newsrooms and independent journalists have been able to launch innovation and sustainability projects and produce more public interest journalism. You can read more about the projects delivered from the first year’s funding recipients here.