The News Bargaining Incentive Statutory Payment Scheme is an opportunity for the government to complement its News Media Assistance (News MAP) Policy Framework to generate public benefit for communities. Should the News Bargaining Incentive result in levy funds collected, those funds must be redistributed to independent news organisations that are embedded in their communities and providing essential local information.
The distribution model proposed in the consultation paper provides much-needed support for incumbent news organisations. However, it risks embedding media concentration and heightens barriers to entry for emergent newsrooms. This submission outlines recommended amendments to ensure the distribution model offers the widest possible support for public interest journalism.
Summary of recommendations
- A news business that has secured a deal with a digital platform should not be eligible under the Statutory Payment Scheme for funds collected from that same platform.
- Fifteen per cent of levy funds collected should be set aside for a competitive grant program to meet the news and information needs of underserved communities.
- Proposed weightings that increase support to certain types of news businesses should be increased.
- Revenue-based eligibility criteria for the News Media Bargaining Code Register/Statutory Payment Scheme should be removed.
- The LINA Editorial Standards, the Community Radio Broadcasting Codes of Practice and the Community Television Codes of Practice should be added as eligible professional editorial standards for the News Media Bargaining Code Register/Statutory Payment Scheme.
