Stories for everyone, from everywhere.
Journalists, storytellers and digital innovators who have a passion for Australian stories are encouraged to apply for a share of the $5 million, 2023 Meta Australian News Fund, with applications open now and due by September 25.
Over two previous years, 106 organisations or individuals have been awarded $10 million by panels of specialist judges appointed by the Walkley Foundation.
The Meta Australian News Fund is open to eligible Australian-based newsrooms and journalists, to encourage, support and sustain journalism and content-making in a fast-paced, evolving Australian media landscape.
Projects that support Public Interest Journalism and Digital Innovation will be at the centre of the Meta News fund. This year there will be an additional focus on stories or projects that prioritise: video first, women in sport, First Nations languages and languages other than English.
Applications open from August 31. Journalists, freelancers, businesses and newsrooms are all encouraged to apply. The funding will support journalists creating uniquely Australian stories, freelancers diving into big topics, and newsrooms cementing their futures in their communities.
From archiving images to the development of apps for regional newsrooms to publish content, the Digital Innovation Fund asks applicants to consider how to use technology to strengthen the work they do. The Digital Innovation Fund is for publishers leaning into the challenges of technological change and disruption, for those who want to be ahead of the curve rather than being left behind.
Public interest journalism takes on many forms. From freelance podcasters and documentary makers to creating audio in language to support broadcasters during the fire season. Public interest journalism is for the betterment of communities big and small and is closely aligned with core values of the Meta Australian News Fund. The Public Interest Journalism Fund will be looking for the projects that support communities and shine a light into the parts of the Australian storyscape that sometimes get forgotten.
Meta’s Andrew Hunter says it’s a third year to make a difference in the media landscape.
“In the final year of the fund, I’d like to thank our partner, the Walkley Foundation, for their close collaboration and continued support in driving innovation in Australia’s smaller newsrooms,” said Andrew Hunter, Strategic Media Partnerships, Meta, Asia-Pacific.
“Each year these funds have helped a diverse set of media organisations invest in new technologies, grow revenue and continue to produce stories that matter to a range of audiences across the nation.
“I’m looking forward to following the progress of this year’s recipients as they develop self-sustaining business models and tell important stories that might not otherwise have been told.”
Walkley Foundation CEO Shona Martyn says she has been thrilled by the calibre of entries in previous rounds, where some completed work has subsequently won journalism awards. “I expect a similar range of entrants this year – especially from those in categories which have been given additional emphasis in this latest round, for example, projects that prioritise youth, disaster recovery, First Nations languages and women in sport”.
Applications will close on September 25, 2023, and successful recipients will be announced on February 1, 2024.
Media Contacts:
The Walkley Foundation: Sian Gard on 0403 258 054 or at sian.gard@walkleys.com.
James Gorman on +414 990 480 or at james.gorman@walkleys.com.