LINA supports newsrooms with a range of services, grants and resources intended to foster sustainable media organisations and public interest journalism. Join the movement of local and independent journalists!
Member services
LINA’s role is to provide hands-on, capacity-building support to digital and hybrid publishers in a range of areas including business operations, technology, legal and policy, audience engagement and journalism.
As a not-for-profit, our only objective is to help local and independent newsrooms in any way we can!
Hallmarks of
LINA membership
To be eligible for membership, newsrooms must be:
Publishing high-quality news content that meets the LINA Editorial Standards and Australian Press Council’s Principles and Standards of Practice.
Publishing digitally (many also distribute with print, radio and/or podcast or other platforms).
Independently owned within the community they serve.
Engaging journalists and contributors who are based within the location/community.
Producing content that is community focused, delivering public interest journalism and information on a broad range of topics to the community, and responsive to the needs and priorities of this community.
Membership
options
LINA
Membership.
Month.
LINA
Membership.
Month.
Associate
Membership.
Month.
Associate members are companies, independent creators, vendors and organisations that support the objectives of LINA and its membership, and might not meet all the membership requirements but aim to grow their impact in the news landscape. Membership is subject to approval.
LINA has done an exceptional job to service and represent its members. LINA has also provided so many opportunities to learn, not just about the publishing business but also for personal growth.
Stella Yee,
Editor & Publisher
I continue to say that LINA saved my business. It opened me up to a whole lot more opportunity I didn’t really know existed.
Liam Fitzgerald,
Publisher & Founder
This financial year is pivotal for me. I am about to leave my day job and do this full time. Thanks to LINA I feel like I have support to keep going.
The Point
Publisher & Editor
LINA is doing an amazing job supporting local and independent news publishers like myself. For years, I felt in the wilderness as I struggled to put out local news and keep abreast of all the issues that impact local news publishers. Thank you, LINA.
Jacky Barker,
Founder
There is no doubt that LINA is helping to sustain a diverse news media ecosystem. The work of LINA and its members is vital to the communities you serve and what brings us together.
The Hon Michelle Rowland MP,
Minister for Communications (2022-2025)
I just want to say how awesome it was to have ABC Legal review that podcast for us. What an awesome resource to be available to LINA members. Really appreciate it!
Troy Dodds,
Managing Editor
LINA has connected Tasmanian Inquirer to a broader network of digital media startups, allowing us to learn from others experience, represent the emerging sector to government, share tips of our own and gain from shared programs and support we would otherwise not have time to develop on our own. LINA’s work is invaluable.
Bob Burton,
Tasmanian Inquirer
Working as a journalist in a small news company often means lacking thorough feedback opportunities. LINA’s sub-editing service came as a perfect solution for me. The feedback provided has been incredibly valuable and insightful. This service is sure to enhance my writing skills and contribute to my growth as a journalist.
Jamie Jansen,
Newsport
I feel supported by the LINA team who are there ready to answer my questions/offer advice/support if required. The expertise that we have been able to call on has been beneficial.
Lechelle Earl,
The SE Voice
As we initially focused on print, learning from other publishers who operate solely in the digital realm has been invaluable. Seeing how they generate revenue has allowed us to adopt similar strategies, especially in the digital space. As a result, we’ve been able to create new revenue streams for Echo News.
Katie Maclean,
Echo News
I genuinely don’t believe I would still be operating without LINA’s support. LINA has provided invaluable guidance, training, advocacy and practical support that has helped us navigate an increasingly challenging media landscape.
Susie Williams
Editor & Founder
I’m never sure that what we’re doing is good, and when I’m starting to think I should just give up then LINA kinda picks me up and throws me back into the ring for another round. I would have quit long ago if not for LINA’s support.
Raphaella Crosby,
The New England Times
Being a LINA member has made the impossible seem a bit more possible. We publishers are all in our little silos, doing our thing; LINA helps us to appreciate that, although being an entrepreneur can be a lonely job, we’re all working side by side towards the same sort of goals.
Peri Strathearn,
Murray Bridge News
[LINA’s legal service] has backed us to be bolder in our reporting, knowing where we stand from a legal point of view. This is a great service which we would otherwise find it difficult to afford by ourselves.
Publisher
The Village Voice
Harry Taruva
The strategic direction we get from LINA is immense. The resources we get always keep us on our toes and remind us to keep improving.
Founder
Not a newsroom but want to support public interest journalism and media diversity?
Estimated value and impact of LINA membership
Resource support.
- Award nomination and grant application service
- Extensive library of templates and resources
Discounts.
- Exclusive discount to AAP Newswire
- First 12 months of Canva Pro free
- Group membership to Broadstreet ad manager
Subsidies & grants.
- $2,000 micro-grants for public interest journalism
- Subsidised summit travel and ticket
Legal services.
- Pro-bono pre-publication article review by ABC Legal
- Tailored legal training for newsrooms
Training opportunities.
- Regular networking and training events with expert guests
- On-demand training on journalism and newsroom operations
Operational support.
- On-call technical advice on websites and administrative systems
- On-call HR support
Representation & fundraising.
- Participation in annual 'Our News. Your Voice' collective fundraising campaign
- Representation in policy forums
Total annual value of a LINA membership*:
* Estimated annual value for a member engaging in all LINA offerings and discounts, etc
Services and benefits for members (established newsrooms and startups)
| Service / Benefit |
|---|
| Discounts |
| Subsidised Summit attendance |
| Access to advice, templates and resources |
| Member newsletter |
| Collective advertising representation |
| Broadstreet ad server |
| Centralised IT support |
| Representation in policy forums |
| Coordinated fundraising participation |
| Invites to ‘Shop-talk’ and networking sessions |
| Access to training opportunities and resources |
| Business coaching programs |
| On-demand third-party support (e.g. HR) |
| Impact Tracking templates and data development/audience engagement support |
| Access to shared services |
| Access to donated equipment |
| Award nomination service |
| Eligibility for LINA distributed grants |
| Vote at AGM |
| Slack channel access for support and collaboration |
| Access to pro bono legal advice |
| Subsidised membership to the Australian Press Council |
Services and benefits for associate members
Associate members receive subsidised attendance to the annual LINA Summit, access to the templates, resources and advice behind the gated members-only LINA website, our members-only newsletter, and representation through our collective advertising program. Other LINA services such as the Broadstreet Ad Manager can be accessed by associate members at a fee-for-service.
Support your newsroom’s reputation and credibility
LINA has quickly gained recognition within the media industry for the high-quality journalism our members are producing.
Whether you’re a new newsroom looking to gain credibility within your community, or an established media organisation needing representation to support government grant applications, being part of the LINA movement will help your reputation. If your LINA membership application is successful, you can add the LINA member badge to your website.
