Government offers urgent relief to media companies, including suspension of content quotas

The government is suspending content quotas for the rest of the year, offering $41m in tax rebates, and establishing a $50m regional journalism program to help media companies cope with the severe revenue impacts of COVID-19.

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher acknowledged that COVID-19 has led to “broadcasters and newspapers fac[ing] significant financial pressure” in his response to the industry’s resounding cry for help, including commercial radio’s plea for a government bailout last week.

Fletcher (left) announced the government package today