The federal government has budgeted $58.6 million over four years from 2020-21 to support the media sector.
This includes:
- $31.4 million over three years from 2021-22 to provide additional language services to Australians who speak a language other than English
- $15 million over two years from 2020-21 to support the financial sustainability of the Australian Associated Press
- $8 million over two years from 2021-22 to the Community Broadcasting Foundation through the Community Broadcasting Program to support the community broadcasting sector
- $4.2 million over three years from 2020-21 to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to administer new functions to support the implementation of the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code
From the budget papers:
Communications minister Paul Fletcher says funding will allow ACMA to deliver the critical benefits provided by the code.
“Digital platforms have fundamentally changed the way that media content is produced, distributed and consumed, which is why the Morrison Government introduced this world-leading Code, to support a diverse and sustainable Australian news media sector,” he says.
“Our investment will enable ACMA to fulfil its functions under the Code, including administering an eligibility scheme, registering news businesses, and maintaining a register of arbitrators.”
He says the world-leading framework addresses the bargaining power imbalance between Australian news media businesses and digital platforms and means news media businesses will be fairly remunerated for the content they generate.
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