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Charting the course for a diverse and sustainable news sector

The Albanese Government is investing $180.5 million to deliver on its commitment to support local news and community broadcasting, today launching the News Media Assistance Program (News MAP) and announcing additional funding for community broadcasting.

The Government recognises local media and community broadcasting as critical to the health of our democracy, social cohesion and informing communities.

The Government will invest $153.5 million over four years to implement the News MAP, which has been informed by extensive public and industry consultation, with the following measures:

  • Release of the News MAP policy framework to guide government intervention to support public interest journalism in Australia, with clear objectives and the best available evidence.
  • Establishment of a new expert advisory panel to provide advice on the design and targeting of mechanisms to support sustainability and capacity building, including attracting philanthropy.
  • $33 million over three years to support the Australian Associated Press newswire service – recognising its important role in supporting media diversity and providing high quality news.
  • $116.7 million over four years from 2024-25 (and $1.7 million in 2028-29) to support and build the sustainability and capacity of news organisations so they can deliver public interest journalism and local news vital to Australian communities, including $17.6 million for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts to support program delivery.
  • $3.8 million over three years from 2025-26 for the development of Australia’s first National Media Literacy Strategy, co-designed in partnership with the media literacy research sector, education sector and communities, to better equip Australians to critically engage with news and media.

The Government will also mandate a minimum commitment of $3 million per year for two years from 2025-26 for regional newspaper advertising across the total Commonwealth media advertising spend.

This is in addition to the $15 million in 2024–25 already announced for the News Media Relief Program to provide urgent support for eligible regional, independent suburban, multicultural and First Nations news publishers, and the $10.5 million already announced for the Australian Communications and Media Authority to implement the Media Diversity Measurement Framework.

The Government will also invest an additional $27 million to back Australia’s vital community broadcasting sector, with:

  • $15 million through the Community Broadcasting Program (CBP) to support the community broadcasting sector, including $3 million to support community television
  • $12 million through the Indigenous Broadcasting and Media Program (IBMP) to support the First Nations broadcasting and media sector.

This new funding recognises and supports the services of over 450 community broadcasters who connect communities and amplify diverse voices, while the Government continues work with the sector on the Community Broadcasting Sector Sustainability Review.

For more information on News MAP, visit: News Media Assistance Program (News MAP)

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UPDATE

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Guardian Australia makes new editorial hires

Guardian Australia has made several new appointments across its Sydney-based office and its Canberra bureau.

Tom McIlroy has been appointed as chief political correspondent, to be based in Canberra.

His journalistic career spans The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Ballarat Courier, Canberra Times and Houston Chronicle, and he recently published a book on the controversial 1973 purchase of the Jackson Pollock artwork, Blue Poles, by the Australian government.

Patrick Commins has been appointed as economics editor, also based in Canberra.

Commins was previously The Australian’s economics correspondent, and a columnist and senior writer for the Australian Financial Review for more than a decade.

Current senior business reporter, Jonathan Barrett, has been promoted to business editor, while Luca Ittimani, who recently completed a Scott Trust cadetship with Guardian Australia, has been appointed as the publication’s business and economics reporter.

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No loss, CU Karen.

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Former State Political Editor for The Advertiser Belinda Willis is now editor of InDaily

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According to Calum Jaspan of The Age/SMH, The Guardian Australia has made two staff members redundant, including head of audio Miles Martignoni, who took to LinkedIn to announce his departure on Wednesday.

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Guardian Australia appoints new political editor

Guardian Australia has promoted its recently appointed chief political correspondent, Tom McIlroy, to political editor.

McIlroy joined The Guardian in April as its chief political correspondent, during a period of tumult for the masthead’s political team. The Guardian’s former political editor Karen Middleton resigned from the role in March, after a year in the job.

McIlroy has worked in the national press gallery over the past decade, for a number of mastheads, including the AFR, The Age, and the Sydney Morning Herald. He will continue to work out of Canberra, and starts in the new role immediately.

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STM celebrates 21 years of style, storytelling and influence

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STM is marking 21 years of inspiring and connecting West Australians, kicking off with a month-long celebration across November, featuring special commemorative editions that capture the magazine’s evolution, influence, and enduring connection with its audience.

The commemorative series features Bec Judd, revisiting her unforgettable 2004 Brownlow Medal moment and her ongoing influence on WA style and culture.

It celebrates STM’s evolution from a Sunday newspaper insert to a premium glossy magazine, reaffirming its role as a trusted lifestyle and culture platform.

Nat Locke, one of WA’s most beloved columnists and radio personalities, reflects on her connection with readers, and features will showcase STM’s award-winning storytelling, photography, and coverage of the people, places, and trends shaping the state.

Since its debut in 2004, STM has grown into a premium platform reaching 236,000 West Australians every week. Its influential, style-savvy audience are early adopters across categories including dining, travel, beauty, fashion, home interiors, finance, and motoring.

Through exclusive interviews, local fashion shoots, and cultural insights, STM continues to deliver exceptional brand visibility in a trusted, aspirational environment.

STM Editor Katherine Fleming said: “For 21 years, STM has been a trusted brand for West Australians delivering stories that inspire, entertain, and connect our community.

“This milestone celebrates not only our storytelling but the premium platform we provide for brands to engage with an influential audience.”

To mark the anniversary, The Sunday Times has partnered with Crown Perth to offer readers the chance to win a luxury stay for four valued at over $15,000, including exclusive Crystal Club access with champagne on arrival, valet parking and a $500 Crown gift card.

In addition, Seven West Media has launched tailored STM advertising packages for campaign partners, with an incentive prize of a personalised styling session at Karrinyup and $500 spending money for bookings confirmed before year-end.

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According to Calum Jaspan of The Age/SMH, The Guardian Australia has promoted federal reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy to chief political correspondent, replacing Paul Karp who quit in January. Jervis-Bardy filled the gap left by Tom McIlroy when he was promoted to political editor in September, following the departure of Karen Middleton.

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https://www.bandt.com.au/guardian-australia-sets-new-reader-revenue-record-as-end-of-year-appeal-surpasses-target/

Guardian Australia has recorded its biggest month for reader support, bringing in more than $2.3 million in November – surpassing the previous high, set during the May 2025 federal election month, by more than 7 per cent.

The milestone has been fuelled by reader response to Guardian Australia’s annual end-of-year supporter appeal, which kicked off on 1 November and reached its initial $800,000 target on 6 December, several weeks ahead of expectation. Given the momentum, Guardian Australia has announced a stretch goal of $1.2 million, which it aims to reach by 31 December.

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Southern Highlands Express owner folded with $700k debt

A NSW regional newspaper owner has gone into liquidation, owing over $700,000, mostly to the Australian Taxation Office.

Espresso Media, which published the now-defunct mastheads Wollondilly Express, Goulburn Express, and Southern Highlands Express, published its final edition on July 16, with all employees let go six days later.

In 2020, the mother-and-son team (Jane King and Cristian King) launched the paid newspaper Southern Highlands Express after ACM closed the Southern Highlands News. They also launched free monthly newspaper the Goulburn Express, followed by the paid Wollondilly Express in 2022.