Facebook and Walkley Foundation open applications for up to $92,000 regional newsroom funding
The Walkley Foundation and Facebook have opened applications for Facebook’s COVID-19 Australian News Relief Fund program, which will award non-metro news organisations up to $92,000 in funding.
‘Drought from Above’ by David Gray
The announcement:
The Facebook Journalism Project (FJP) COVID-19 Australian News Relief Fund Program, administered by the Walkley Foundation, will award funds ranging from $15,000 up to $92,000 to eligible news organisations in Australia to help support them in:
1. producing original news content related to COVID-19 and/or
2. offsetting revenue shortfalls to help publishers maintain long-term sustainability.
This fund is part of FJP’s $2 million investment in projects, coaching and training to support Asia-Pacific news organisations’ coronavirus work. The Walkley Foundation will assess applications and distribute funds in Australia.
Key application dates:
- Applications will be accepted starting Monday, May 18 at 09:00 am AEST until Sunday, May 31 at 11:59 pm AEST
- Funding recipients will be notified in mid-June 2020
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for support, publishers must be:
- A news organisation with their principal place of business located in Australia
- Actively covering COVID-19 and producing original news content related to COVID-19
- Employ the equivalent of at least 2 full-time journalists.
Preference will be given to publishers who:
- Serve regional or non-metropolitan communities (regional media include areas outside of Australian capital cities and the Australian Capital Territory, but does include Darwin)
- Publish public interest news content and such content accounts for a majority of their output
- Have not yet received funding support from the Facebook Journalism Project in 2020
- Clearly and candidly explain the funding’s contribution to their organisation’s long-term viability
- Have been in operation for at least one year
- Have Facebook pages and Instagram accounts that are in compliance with Facebook community standards and partner monetization policies
Selection criteria
A committee consisting of representatives selected by the Walkley Foundation will review eligible applications and select potential finalists. Finalists will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Clear and compelling description of how funds will be used
- Clearly defined organisational need supported by a budget proposal that directly addresses those needs
- Quality of prior news reporting and other content related to COVID-19
- Whether the organisation meets one or more of the preference criteria
Applications must be received by 11:59 pm AEST on May 31, 2020. See Terms and Conditions for full eligibility criteria, funding evaluation process and restrictions.
Source: Walkleys press release
