Facebook is extending its Local News Accelerator program to Australia and New Zealand.
The program, to be launched in partnership with the Walkley Foundation, aims to help 11 publishers increase their direct revenue through subscriptions, memberships and donations.
Local News Accelerator programs have already been implemented around the world, such as in North America and Germany.
In Australia, News Corp, Australian Community Media, The Guardian and The West Australian are some of the publishers to receive training on how to monetise their audience both on and off Facebook.
“The Walkley Foundation is committed to fostering resilience and growth in the industry in practical, measurable ways,” says Louisa Graham, the Walkley Foundation CEO.
“Facebook’s Accelerator Program is designed to support Australian newsrooms in maximising new revenue streams. This will ultimately allow news organisations to continue their important work and report on the issues that matter to Australian society.”
The program includes two parts. The first is three-month of workshops led by news industry experts and global media leaders to share reader revenue strategies and tactics. The news publishers involved will also be given the opportunity for face-to-face meetings at Facebook’s office in Sydney.
The second phase of the program includes distributing funds, which will be administered by the Walkley Foundation, to test and implement new reader revenue strategies.
Publishers have been increasingly partnering with the social media platform, with many creating exclusive content for Facebook Watch.
Facebook’s outreach to publishers comes as the government is due to deliver its response to the ACCC’s Digital Platforms Inquiry which was critical of Facebook and Google’s impact on local journalism.
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