News Media Relief Program grant will help Murray Bridge News keep publishing
The federal government has announced funding for independent regional and suburban publishers around Australia, including this one.
In good news for local news, the federal government will make a one-off contribution to Murray Bridge News in the face of the financial challenges facing regional media.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced the News Media Relief Program on October 21, only a few hours after Murray Bridge News had made an urgent appeal for more advertising support.
Unlike previous subsidies, most of which had propped up newspapers at the expense of new players, the latest program targeted online publishers in Australia’s regions and suburbs.
“Local and community news outlets play a huge role in supporting a diverse and inclusive news media sector that is so vital to the healthy functioning of Australian society and democracy,” Ms Rowland said.
“We want to see more local journalists and publishers reporting on the issues that matter to their communities.
“This funding will provide the urgent assistance local news outlets need as we continue our work on ... an ongoing program that will enable us to deliver effective support to the Australian news sector into the future.”
As co-owner and managing editor of Murray Bridge News, I can tell you that Ms Rowland’s announcement was pivotal to my decision to continue publishing at the end of last year.
The grant we’ve received is equivalent to about 15 per cent of Murray Bridge News’ operating costs for this financial year, and it’s a one-time deal.
We still need more regular advertising clients to come on board to make this business sustainable; and it would be good for governments to make an ongoing commitment to independent publishers if they’re not going to advertise with us.
But this will help.
I must credit the tireless advocacy of Claire Stuchbery and the team at the Local and Independent News Association, of which Murray Bridge News is a member and I am a board member, for securing this funding for publishers around Australia.
The grant is the first one this publication has ever received from any government.
While we have been fortunate with funding since we started up in 2020, almost every dollar we’ve won has come from private companies like Substack, Meta and Google.
The only condition on this latest grant is that we continue employing all our editorial staff for at least six months.
Murray Bridge News remains 100% locally owned and operated by the Strathearn family.
- Read more: About Murray Bridge News
