News

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The Google News Initiative just opened the News Equity Fund: a multi-million dollar commitment to provide cash awards to news organisations that serve underrepresented communities around the world. Applicants will receive funding to support and expand their news operations.  With this global program, they are offering support for independent journalists and small and medium-sized organizations producing original news

Claire Stuchbery to take up position from 1 July 2022 The Local and Independent News Association (LINA), Australia’s newest media organisation representing independent local news publishers, is pleased to announce the appointment of its inaugural Executive Director. Claire Stuchbery joins LINA after a 20 year career in media policy, stakeholder engagement, policy development and communications. Most

LINA welcomes The Future of Regional Newspapers in a Digital World: Inquiry into Australia’s regional newspapers report published by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts this week. The report recognises the critical role that independent, hyperlocal publishers play in their communities. It recognises the value of LINA and calls for

The Judith Neilson Institute and the Local and Independent News Association (LINA) have created a flood impact fund to support local and independent news organisations that have been financially affected by the recent floods. Grants of up to $2,500 are available to organisations that have suffered financial losses, such as lost revenue from not being able to

The local independent news sector is at a critical juncture.  Journalists are being retrenched as newspaper outlets close across Australia. The ACCC documents 105 regional news closures in the decade from 2008 – 2018 and there are many more in the years since. Recently there has been a new trend, independent news outlets are popping

Regional media organisations eligible for grants through the cadetship stream of the Journalist Fund are now welcome to apply. A total of $8 million is available for hiring cadets, with applications closing on 20 April 2022. There is a total of $10 million available under the Journalist Fund, with $2 million soon to be available

In response to challenges faced by the hyperlocal news industry, the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas (JNI) has partnered with the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) to develop an industry-wide capacity-building organisation, the Local and Independent News Association (LINA). Research by JNI and CBAA found the most significant challenges identified by founders of hyperlocal

Emma Bones is Manager, Special Projects for the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas (JNI), one of the supporting organisations involved in establishing the Local and Independent News Association (LINA) – representing hyperlocal publishers. JNI’s mission is to support and celebrate quality journalism and storytelling in Australia and around the world. Their funding and