Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said he is pleased to announce two media organisations with coverage in Grey have been successful in receiving funding to support cadet journalists.
Flow FM, which is based in Kapunda, but covers Ceduna, Central EP, Coober Pedy, Maitland, Roxby Downs, Streaky Bay, Woomera and Leigh Creek has been successful and will receive $77,860 to support two cadet journalists.
The Plains Producer in Balaklava which is circulated throughout the Mid North has also been successful and will receive funding of $46,000 to assist in supporting two cadet journalists.
Mr Ramsey said this funding will help drive regional journalism in the Grey electorate.
“We are very blessed in regional Australia to have great local newspapers and radio stations which keep people in touch with their communities,” Mr Ramsey said.
“For people who are isolated, local newspapers and radio are an important part of their lives.
I hope this funding stimulates interest in journalism and working in regional Australia and bolsters local newspapers, radio stations and small publishers. It can be hard to attract ambitious young people to work in rural and regional areas, but this funding will assist local publishers attract high calibre individuals,” Mr Ramsey said.
The grants are part of the Regional and Small Publishers Cadetships Program, under which $1.78 million has been awarded to publishers.
Minister for Communications and the Arts Mitch Fifield said 41 small and regional publishers across the country will benefit from the grants, aiming to boost public interest journalism.
“Many smaller media organisations are struggling to adapt to the rapidly changing media environment and these grants will help them navigate these challenges,” Minister Fifield said.
“The grants are important to ensure the journalism profession continues to attract Australia’s best and brightest individuals, and encourage them to live and work outside the major cities.”
A number of quality applications were received under the program, and this has allowed the Government to fund a diverse range of opportunities.
For more information visit: www.communications.gov.au/regionalinnovation
