Hackett welcomes new Journalism Scheme as applications open

Coimisiún na Meán has launched their new Journalism Schemes, which aim to supplement and enhance coverage of local authorities, district court, and circuit court hearings.

Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, has hailed this announcement as both “timely, and essential."

The Journalism Schemes have been established following a recommendation from the Report of the Future of Media Commission.

Funding of €6 million will be made available for proposals for public interest journalism in long form; in-depth focus pieces or series on issues arising from coverage of local authorities or arising from courts coverage or related matters.

Minister Hackett said “It’s impossible to miss the dramatic change that has taken place in the media landscape across the world and here in Ireland in recent years.

“The drive for immediacy and engagement, often at the expense of accuracy, has had any number of consequences, most of them adverse. Diligent research, fact-checking, presenting both sides of a story – these are difficult, time-consuming and expensive, and in a world where maximising profit is the primary motivation at all times, they often get cut out.

“The Irish media is largely staffed by people who understand the value of reliable, trustworthy news, and even in the political world where our work and our words are being scrutinised, people recognise that this has huge value for society.

“However pressure on costs has meant that good reporting of public interest stories can get shelved in favour of clickbait, the amplification of extreme voices, and anger-inducing opinion pieces."

All content funded will be made freely available to the public, not less than 7 days after its initial publication, and will be uploaded by Coimisiún na Meán to its website.

Coimisiún na Meán is now inviting applicants to apply for funding under the new pilot Journalism Schemes.

The new Journalism Schemes will be open to applications from journalists and media outlets, including broadcast, print and online platforms, in both the Irish and English languages. To be eligible, applicants will be required to demonstrate editorial expertise, capacity and track-record, and must also be a regulated entity, or affiliated with a regulated entity.

The closing date for completed applications for both Schemes (local democracy and courts reporting) is 12 noon, September 17, 2024. Application forms can be found on their website here.