NEWS - JOURNALISM PARTNERSHIPS - PLURALISM

From the Commission's own budget table for this call. Confirm against the topic page before you plan around it: these move when a work programme is amended.

Scope: The news media sectors play a crucial role in the diversity, independence and trustworthiness of the information space. Despite being essential to our democracies, these sectors are facing multiple challenges. The economic sustainability of professional journalism has come under pressure, partially as a result of the digital transformation, with readers shifting to online sources and traditional news outlets losing advertising revenues. Many media at the local level as well as those focusing on public interest mission news struggle to survive, which may weaken media pluralism as well as engagement and trust in democracy. In line with the European Democracy Shield, this call addresses media challenges and opportunities of a transnational nature by supporting projects specialising in: Topic 2. “Journalism Partnerships – Pluralism” covers media sectors that are particularly relevant for democracy. Certain sectors having an important role for democratic debate lack the means to adapt to the digital environment, and phenomena such as shrinking newsrooms or media deserts can lead to a deterioration of pluralism. Support is thus needed for them to improve their position, adapt their methods, continue providing a first-hand source of original reporting to citizens, help keep decision-makers accountable and ultimately contribute to a more diverse and independent sector. Priorities Proposals must put in place funding schemes for news media entities and independent journalism and dedicate at least 60% of the total amount of the grant to it. Accompanying activities may be proposed. Applicant organisations should be in a position to set up funding schemes (support to third parties) targeting news media outlets, organisations and, if needed, professionals, local and regional media, community media, investigative journalism and organisations delivering public interest news, and in ways that enhance pluralistic media landscapes across the European Union. Non-profit and civil society organisations are particularly encouraged to apply. The proposed activities must focus on news media sectors of special relevance to democracy and civic participation, i.e. the role they play in enhancing democracy, shaping the public debate and bringing benefits to their audiences and communities, instead of focusing just on profit. For the purpose of this call, these sectors are in particular: Local and regional media Independent and investigative journalism Organisations delivering public interest news/public service journalism (such as community, legal and civic journalism and med…