How can we pilot match-funding for public interest news?

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Jun 26, 2023

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Industry news and trends

Double the money… how can we pilot match-funding for public interest news in the UK? In this blogpost, Joe Mitchell from PINF outlines some thinking they’re doing on a UK news match-funding campaign, inspired by INN’s NewsMatch. And they want your feedback! Read more
PINF set to launch local news map with the most up-to-date data. On 19 July, they will be presenting their first analysis of UK news deserts, and having a look at the links between local news coverage and deprivation. The map is currently in public beta ahead of the launch. Read more
Two-thirds say nothing will make them pay for news. Just 9% of people in the UK paid for online news in the past year. Read more
Decentered Media is developing a Community Cohesion Charter. Particular emphasis will be given to people and groups that are making community-focussed media content, regardless of platform, professional status, and formal constitution of the groups involved. Read more
Broadcast 2040+ campaign enters second year. Launched in 2022, they are campaigning to seek a Government commitment to safeguard broadcast TV and radio to 2040 and beyond. Read more

Latest content from independent media

Undocumented migrants in the UK: Uncertainty and fear of being deported at any time. This is what awaits immigrants who do not have the necessary residence credentials to live in the UK, The Prisma reports. Read more
Six years on from Grenfell: The London Spy covered a gathering in Kensington for a silent walk to remember the 72 people who died in the fire. They came with a clear message: “still no justice”. Read more
The uncertain pirate: An interview by Manchester Meteor with Sam Conniff, author of Be More Pirate and founder of Uncertainty Experts. Read more
Dead cats and transphobic lies: The political and media firestorm over a school girl claiming to identify as a cat, turns out to be a story ‘too good to check’. Byline Times has spoken to a witness. Read more
Paying homage to home and putting Govanhill on the map: Govanhillian Jillian Mendoza talks about growing up in the area, the local arts scene, their identity, and their faith, and how exciting new changes to the local community allow for such freedom of self-expression. Read more

Funding opportunities

Earth Investigations Programme: Investigation grants amounting up to €800,000 EUR for environmental journalism. Read more
DMU Channel 4 Investigative Journalism Scholarships: If you’re looking to get into investigative journalism, this is the course for you. Four fee waivers for the MA in investigative journalism, plus living and work experience assistance available for 3 people. Read more
Fund for Investigative Journalism: Two grantmaking initiatives for projects covering new ground and exposing wrongdoing in both public and private sectors. A maximum award of $10,000 USD. Read more
McGraw Business Journalism Scholarships: Up to $15,000 to help fund a business story or investigation. Read more
Power to Change Discovery Fund: A new fund to develop your ideas and learn new skills. Read more

Media jobs and opportunities

Newsroom Leadership Programme, Social Streets: Fast-track your career in journalism with this 15-month intensive advanced journalism leadership programme at our flagship newspaper. Start as an Editorial Assistant trainee, progress to Deputy Editor and leave as Editor. Read more
Fellowship, Journo Resources: Specifically designed for people looking to break into the journalism industry. It offers tailored training, 1-2-1 mentoring and a paid commission for their website. Read more
Education Manager, Impress: The Education Manager will work in collaboration with Impress and the University of Huddersfield as part of an exciting Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), funded by Innovate UK, for a fixed term of 34 months. Read more

Updates on media policy and legislation

Gill Phillips succeeds Mark Hanna as new co-author of McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists

Gill Phillips, the former director of editorial legal services for the Guardian, has been appointed by the NCTJ and Oxford University Press to succeed Mark Hanna as co-author of the 27th edition of McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists.

Refugee Week 2023: Where is the ‘Compassion’?

Last week was Refugee Week. The UK is alive with arts and cultural events created by and for refugee communities, celebrating people’s resilience and creativity, documenting stories and raising awareness about the challenges refugees face. This year’s theme was compassion.

Buzzfeed, Gal-dem, VICE… What the closure of big digital media brands means for freelancers: The pitching pool for social-first content is shrinking, raising concerns about the lack of spaces where young writers and those from marginalised backgrounds can get their stories commissioned. Read more
How to set up a worker co-op: Discover the power of cooperation with workers.coop free email course on setting up a worker cooperative. This engaging journey will guide you through the essentials of worker-owned businesses, their unique benefits, and the steps to create your own successful co-op. Read more
Acast launches new tech integrating publishers’ paywalls with podcast platforms. The technology means paywalled news outlets may more easily offer podcasts as a members-only benefit. Read more
Google’s Journalist Studio: A collection of tools to empower journalists to do their work more efficiently, creatively, and securely. Read more
Build your news website with Ghost: If you would like a new website for your journalism project, IMA member Great Central Gazette is offering low-cost theme editing for Ghost powered websites. Costs usually range from £150 to £250 per day. Availability from September onwards. Read more

Get involved

Debt roundtable with The Bureau of Investigative Journalism

TBIJ is hosting a closed roundtable early next month on personal debt, aimed at connecting people with lived experience of debt, and those working in the space, with public interest lawyers and journalists. The event is part of a year-long initiative they’re part of. In terms of this event specifically, the idea is to discuss whether Britain's personal debt crisis is at a tipping point, and identify both problem areas of debt that are underreported and people that are underrepresented. As such it will hopefully identify potential areas for revelatory journalism, legal challenges or campaigns.

If you’re interested, please email Miriam Wells at miriamwells@tbij.com to enquire. Spaces are likely to be limited, and you must have a strong public interest journalism emphasis.

Share your wins and successes

We want to hear about your achievements and successes in the independent media landscape. Share your stories with us at community@ima.press and inspire others with your journey.