€5.7M awarded under new Journalism Schemes

Nearly €5.7M has been allocated to news outlets across Ireland to support high-quality independent journalism.

Coimisiún na Meán announced the funding to news outlets across Ireland under their new Journalism Schemes on Thursday. The schemes cover local democracy and courts reporting and represent the first time for Coimisiún na Meán to directly support public-interest journalism for communities across Ireland on a platform-neutral basis.

Over 100 new or enhanced journalist roles will be created across the country including 71 for journalists, and more than 30 roles of enhanced employment terms for freelance or part-time journalists.

Commenting on the launch of the schemes, Coimisiún na Meán Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó Domhnaill said: ‘’The Schemes deliver on Coimisiún na Meán’s objective to support the delivery of high-quality, trusted and independent news and current affairs.

"They will play an important role in sustaining Ireland’s vibrant democracy by informing and engaging citizens on issues of importance to them. Local news is hugely important to Irish people, and these schemes will ensure that people across Ireland get the news stories that matter to them.’’

Meanwhile, Coimisiún na Meán received 131 applications and funding was awarded to 103 of them under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme, the Courts Reporting Scheme and through the ancillary schemes which support long-form, in-depth and investigative journalism.

“Every one of the 26 counties will see journalism funded on matters of public importance, including the work of local authorities and district and circuit courts,” continued Mr Ó Domhnaill. "We are proud to be funding both Irish and English language journalism and several innovative online reporting projects.

“The support of the Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport and his Department has been central to the funding of these schemes, and we look forward to further engagement with the Department in the future.

"The Local Democracy and Court Reporting Schemes are the first steps in a roll out of at least six schemes designed to support and enhance Irish journalism in the years ahead. Later this year two further schemes will also open for applications, as will a second iteration of the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes.’’