The Bairnsdale Advertiser, Lakes Post and Snowy River Mail will receive more than $90,000 from the Federal Government to support local journalism during the coronavirus pandemic.
Local MP Darren Chester said the three mastheads were the latest media outlets in Gippsland to receive funding through the $50 million Public Interest News Gathering program.
“Like many industries, the regional media has suffered during the pandemic,” Mr Chester said.
“This money is designed to support East Gippsland Newspapers and other news outlets to continue their important role of reporting local news and events and providing reliable information.
“Now, more than ever, our community relies on the kind of detailed information that only a local news organisation will provide.
“This funding will go some way to supporting media jobs and quality reporting on issues relevant to their readers, viewers and listeners in Gippsland.”
The Latrobe Valley Express has already been allocated around $205,000 and the Gippsland Times, more than $100,000. WIN Television, which has regional newsrooms across Australia including in Traralgon, will receive almost $4.5 million.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher said public interest journalism kept communities informed and connected, which was particularly important for people in regional and remote areas.
“Funding under the program will see $20 million for television, $12 million for radio and $18 million for publishing all across regional Australia, with the majority of the publishers receiving grants operating as small‑to‑medium businesses,” Minister Fletcher said.
“This funding will support a broad range of activities such as staff wages, training and technology upgrades to allow the successful recipients to keep delivering important news services to their communities.”
