Rural Press Pty Limited (Australian Community Media) has been awarded more than $10.4 million under the Morrison-McCormack Government’s $50 million Public Interest News Gathering (PING) program, distributed to 91 regional media outlets including ACM, publisher of the Bay Post, Narooma News and the now defunct Moruya Examiner that ceased publication at the onset of Covid.
Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of The Nationals Michael McCormack said this was the largest grant awarded under the Program’s publishing stream, with more than 100 grant agreements now executed.
“This money will support news gathering in regional communities, ensuring local content will continue to be written by local journalists,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“Local news matters because local stories matter and as a former regional newspaper editor, I know the importance of Australian Community Media’s network of outlets – that’s why we are backing 91 of them with a more than $10 million investment.
“This brings stability for local journalists, ensuring they can continue their important work with the certainty that their organisation’s bottom-line has been bolstered by the Federal Government.
“The network of ACM papers delivers important public interest journalism, keeping our regional and remote communities informed and connected.
"This funding can support a broad range of activities including staff wages, training and technology upgrades, enabling this organisation to keep delivering important news services to their communities."
