Coimisiún na Meán, the State’s media regulator, has announced almost €6 million in funding for the reporting of local courts and authorities.
The funding scheme is designed to increase and improve reporting of county councils and local courts, two areas which increasingly go uncovered as a result of shrinking newspaper budgets.
The majority of the 103 grants have been awarded to local media outlets, although the Irish Examiner, which is part of The Irish Times Group, and the Irish Independent have also received funding.
In total, €5.7 million will be available to fund ongoing coverage of local authority business and District and Circuit Court cases, as well as a number of special investigative projects.
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It is the first time such grants have been paid out. Coimisiún na Meán was established in 2023 and replaced the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. As well as regulating broadcast and online platforms, it is responsible for “supporting and developing the Irish media sector”.
“The schemes deliver on Coimisiún na Meán’s objective to support the delivery of high-quality, trusted and independent news and current affairs,” said the regulator’s Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó Domhnaill.
At least six funding schemes are planned, including future local democracy and court reporting schemes.
“The journalism schemes will play an important role in sustaining Ireland’s vibrant democracy by informing and engaging citizens on issues of importance to them. Local news is hugely important to Irish people, and these schemes will ensure that people across Ireland get the news stories that matter to them,” Mr Ó Domhnaill said.
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There were 131 applications for funding, of which 103 were successful. Outlets in all 26 counties received funding and the projects cover both Irish and English language journalism.
Successful applicants include The Kerryman, the Kildare Nationalist and Limerick Leader.
Mr Ó Domhnaill said the support of the Department for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport “has been central to the funding of these schemes.”
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