Welsh Public Interest Journalism Accelerator Grantees
Ten independent community media organisations in Wales have been awarded grants from a £100,000 fund aimed at supporting local public interest journalism.
The Welsh Public Interest News Accelerator is supporting community news organisations committed to delivering locally relevant public interest news and promoting growth in the Welsh independent community news sector.
The funding, which involves grants of up to £9,400, is provided by the Welsh Government and will go towards paying publishers for their time producing public interest news.
The Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru has a commitment to fund existing and new enterprises to improve Welsh-based journalism to tackle the information deficit.
The fund was inundated with applications from across Wales, but only ten grants could be awarded.
Successful grantees
The successful applicants were: Caerphilly Observer, Cwmbran Life, Deeside.com, Carmarthenshire Online, My Town Media, Wrexham.com, Nation Cymru, Glamorgan Star, Golwg and Papur Y
As well as increased coverage of local councils and courts, the grants will support training courses for community reporters, implementing AI tools and improving access to information for isolated rural communities.
The grant is being facilitated by Ping News CIC – a community interest company in partnership with the Independent Community News Network (ICNN) and Bristol-based software developer Omni Digital. Ping! aims to support sustainability in the independent community news sector.
Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism, Dawn Bowden, said:
“A strong and vibrant media sector in Wales is an essential part of a modern democratic society. A strong and independent public service media is essential to provide a comprehensive service that informs, educates and inspires the people of Wales.
“I’m delighted that this funding is being distributed to projects which will play a part in providing further public interest news in local communities.”
Designated Member Cefin Campbell said:
“Covering stories about Wales from Wales is a crucial part of our democratic process. Wales needs independent, home-grown journalism that is rooted in our communities so they are supported to report on matters that are relevant and important locally. This funding can help provide a distinct Welsh voice and play a role in supporting home-made journalism for Wales.”
The accelerator will support organisations committed to covering councils, courts and the local justice system, health boards, fire authority, police crime commission, and other statutory agencies.
Director of Ping News CIC Matt Abbott said:
“We are delighted to be administering the second round of this funding and to be able to provide much-needed support to the independent community news sector in Wales, a sector all too often overlooked.
“There is a great plurality of independent publishers in Wales providing high-quality public interest news to communities across the country, and we are proud to be supporting both English and Welsh-language publications with this accelerator.”
Director of ICNN Emma Meese said:
“While start up funding is important, research and evidence has proven that ongoing funding and support is equally essential for a healthy and sustainable news ecosystem.
“This Welsh Government fund is committed to helping a number of high quality publications to grow and thrive.
“It’s hugely encouraging to see so many publishers across Wales who are committed to providing reliable public interest news. The increased amount of public interest news created by the allocation of this funding will undoubtedly benefit residents right across the country.”
Last year a £100,000 Public Interest News Fund supported eight existing public interest news providers on their journey to becoming sustainable, as well as seed fund a community news start-up organisation and provide emergency funding to titles experiencing an emergency or technical problems.