Government must act faster to secure Australia’s media future
Governments worldwide are grappling with similar challenges, and Australia has the opportunity to lead by example.
The Australian government faces a defining moment in shaping the future of our media landscape.
As chair of the Public Interest Journalism Initiative, I urge policymakers to expedite their commitment to the government’s news media assistance program and the introduction of new bargaining incentive legislation, which was announced almost year ago. These measures are pivotal to sustaining a robust, diverse and independent media environment – one that is integral to our democracy and to the public’s right to reliable news.
The government’s news media assistance program holds immense potential to support journalism across Australia by providing targeted subsidies and incentives to news organisations. This support will empower journalists, media organisations, policymakers and the public alike by helping media outlets navigate the challenges of a digital era dominated by powerful global platforms.
Other jurisdictions facing similar challenges have implemented comparable programs to bolster their media sectors. For example, Canada has introduced funding initiatives to support local news outlets and incentivise innovative journalism through its Local Journalism Initiative. Similarly, the European Union’s Media Action Plan allocates resources to strengthen journalistic freedom and pluralism across member states. New Zealand has also launched a public interest journalism fund to aid media organisations adapting to technological and market disruptions. These international models demonstrate that government intervention can successfully build resilience in democratic media ecosystems threatened by market pressures and dominance of major tech platforms.
Australia cannot afford to lag behind. It is vital the government moves swiftly to release further information and frameworks for the assistance program, inviting comprehensive stakeholder input to finalise a scheme that meets the needs of our unique media environment. A timely and well-designed program will not only promote media diversity but also help ensure newsrooms remain staffed by skilled journalists capable of rigorous and independent reporting.
Augmenting this program, the introduction of new bargaining incentive legislation is equally urgent. In an age where digital platforms disproportionately benefit from the work of journalists and media producers, balancing the scales has become a national imperative. These platforms reap enormous profits by aggregating, sharing and monetising news content with minimal compensation to the original creators. This legislation would empower news organisations, particularly local and regional ones, to collectively negotiate fair remuneration for their content from tech giants.
Governments worldwide are grappling with similar challenges, and Australia has the opportunity to lead by example. France’s implementation of a neighbouring rights law has compelled digital platforms to negotiate payments with publishers. In Germany, the Digital Markets Act introduces strong bargaining rights for news providers to ensure equitable sharing of revenues. By enabling collective bargaining, Australia can reinforce sustainable revenue streams for news outlets, thereby securing the resources necessary to maintain journalistic quality and independence.
Public interest journalism is more vital today than ever before. In an era marked by rising misinformation, shrinking trust in institutions, and complex global challenges – from climate crises to geopolitical unrest – credible journalism serves as a cornerstone of democratic societies. It provides citizens with verified information essential for informed decision-making, holds power to account across government and corporate sectors, and fosters social cohesion by elevating diverse voices and perspectives.
Yet, public interest journalism is under intensifying threat. Global tech giants dominate the digital news ecosystem, capturing audience attention and advertising revenues, leaving traditional media financially depleted. Their algorithms often prioritise sensational or polarising content, undermining public discourse and marginalising high-quality, investigative reporting. At the same time, populist political parties in various democracies exploit media environments by spreading disinformation, attacking press independence and curtailing journalistic freedoms. These trends risk hollowing out the very institutions that underpin accountable governance and social trust.
Australia’s local and regional media sectors are particularly vulnerable. Their capacity to provide essential coverage of community issues, local government accountability and regional voices is dwindling due to financial strains and newsroom closures. The erosion of these outlets not only weakens democratic engagement but also leaves significant gaps in oversight of powerful interests at multiple levels.
The government’s news media assistance program and new bargaining incentive legislation are crucial responses to these pressures. By providing targeted support and empowering fair negotiations with digital platforms, Australia can safeguard an independent news sector that thrives amid digital transformation rather than succumbs to it. These measures will underpin the sustainability of the media ecosystem and ensure continued public access to the reliable, diverse journalism that democracy requires.
Delays in enacting these reforms risk embedding structural disadvantages for journalism, accelerating losses in news quality and diminishing democracy’s capacity to function effectively. The urgency now is clear: Australia must adopt bold, forward-looking policies that affirm the value of public interest journalism, defend it from undue commercial and political pressures, and foster a media landscape where truth and accountability flourish.
Allan Fels is the chair of the Public Interest Journalism Initiative
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