Faaez Samadi
Feb 28, 2019

Facebook launches $3.6 million Australian news project

Partnership with Walkley Foundation part of ongoing journalism investment programme.

Facebook launches $3.6 million Australian news project

Facebook has announced a partnership with The Walkley Foundation in Australia pledging A$5 million (US$3.57 million) to support the country’s news industry.

The initiative will see Facebook’s Journalism Project News Accelerator, piloted in the US last year, come to Australia. The programme provides training and funding for news organisation to grow and monetise their audiences on Facebook. The Walkley Foundation, established in 1956 to support Australian journalism, will administer the funding locally.

Facebook is also sponsoring the Walkley Awards, the foundation's mid-year awards recognising female leaders and emerging talent, which contributes to a school media literacy programme.

“The Walkley Foundation for journalism welcomes this commitment to Australian news as part of Facebook’s wider support for the global news industry,” foundation CEO Louisa Graham said. 

Furthermore, Facebook has also partnered with the newly established Alliance for Journalists’ Freedom, to help promote media freedom and the safety of journalists in Asia-Pacific.

Peter Greste, director of AJP said: “With media freedom increasingly under assault across the region, this partnership is incredibly timely. It will help the Alliance support and advocate for journalists throughout Asia-Pacific, so they can report and investigate freely and safely.”

The announcements are the latest steps of Facebook’s commitment to pledge US$300 million over three years in news partnerships and content, which comes off the back of huge criticism of the platform regarding its role in taking much-needed advertising revenue away from publishers, together with Google.

As Facebook made its announcement, The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued a call for more feedback regarding its inquiry into digital advertising platforms, which is primarily focused on Facebook and Google (see "Australian watchdog: Give us more opinions on duopoly power").  

Source:
Campaign Asia

Related Articles

Just Published

1 hour ago

Interpublic reports $94 million loss for Q1 2025

The loss was fuelled by $203 million in costs for 'strategic restructuring actions'.

1 hour ago

Australia and India lead the Grand Prix tally at ...

Spikes Asia 2025 concluded tonight in Singapore with Ogilvy named Network of the Year, Colenso BBDO Auckland and EssenceMediacom taking home top honours, and Kazakhstan joining the winners’ circle for the first time.

5 hours ago

EMA 2025 winners revealed in live ceremony

Campaign celebrates ingenuity, impact, and excellence in crafting distinctive events across diverse markets in the region.

11 hours ago

Mondelez reveals strategy behind 'Oreo Milky Way ...

Campaign Indonesia speaks with Mondelez International executives about the Oreo Space Dunk campaign, which launched Oreo biscuits into space.