The week in
independent media
Good afternoon,
Government launches £6 million Local News Fund
Exciting news! The government has launched a new Local News Fund worth up to £6 million, with grants of up to £125,000 available for individual outlets to invest in digital innovation and long-term sustainability, and a further £275,000 available for infrastructure projects that benefit the sector as a whole. Some of this funding is specifically earmarked for reviving local journalism in "news deserts," the areas of the country that currently have no dedicated local outlet at all.
Ofcom has also published its proposals for how providers should meet their duties under the Online Safety Act to implement greater protections for news publisher content, journalistic content and content of democratic importance.