Nine media organisations across the West Midlands have secured a share of a \u00a36m government fund to support investment in local journalism, digital services and new business models.<\/p>\n
The applicants will receive grants of up to \u00a3125,000 to develop technology, strengthen audience engagement, expand multimedia content and explore new sources of revenue.<\/p>\n
The awards, made through the Government’s Local News Fund, form part of its Amplify: The Local Media Action Plan and were announced during Journalism Matters Week.<\/p>\n
The funding comes as local publishers face continued pressure from changing audience habits and the shift towards online news consumption, which has disrupted traditional revenue models and contributed to closures and job losses across the sector.<\/p>\n
The grants are intended to help publishers adapt, reach younger audiences and build more sustainable operations.<\/p>\n
Among the recipients is Bullivant Media Group, publisher of the Coventry Observer and Solihull Observer, which has been awarded \u00a3125,000 to modernise its editorial and commercial technology.<\/p>\n
The Millers Publishing Company has also secured \u00a3125,000 to introduce a reader data and engagement platform across its seven local news titles, including The Birmingham Dispatch. The investment is intended to give the publisher a clearer understanding of audience behaviour and help develop stronger reader relationships.<\/p>\n
Firefly New Media, publisher of titles including Birmingham Magazine and Coventry Magazine, will receive \u00a3125,000 to expand community outreach and introduce digital infrastructure to encourage greater participation in local news.<\/p>\n
Aidem Digital CIC has been awarded \u00a3122,887 to improve reporting processes, increase audience reach and develop new commercial opportunities. Its plans include strengthening search engine optimisation, analytics and newsletter activity, alongside testing products and partnerships for local businesses and organisations.<\/p>\n
Byline Networks Limited will receive \u00a3116,335 for a reader-led sustainability programme spanning nine publications, including Central Bylines. The project aims to strengthen community connections, build recurring income and improve the resilience of local titles.<\/p>\n
Cross Rhythms has secured \u00a3106,089 to digitally develop its local news service for Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, delivered through Cross Rhythms City Radio on 101.8 FM.<\/p>\n
The Lead Newspapers will receive \u00a3102,648 to grow its audience and subscriber base. Plans include appointing a distribution editor and visual storytelling editor, staging live events and producing pop-up print editions.<\/p>\n
Coventry-based community broadcaster Vanny Radio has been awarded \u00a375,000 to establish a multimedia newsroom producing regular radio and digital bulletins, interviews, podcasts, short videos and public-interest reporting.<\/p>\n
The Staffordshire Signal CIC will receive \u00a351,434 to develop its video journalism programme, The Staffordshire Signal TV, and launch a companion smartphone app.<\/p>\n
Ian Murray, media minister said: \u201cFor decades our local media has remained among the most trusted sources of news. But, as the media landscape has become more complex, many outlets have been forced to reduce their numbers or even close. Our vision is for a thriving local media in the West Midlands and across the country, reporting on the issues and perspectives that matter to communities and providing invaluable trustworthy information.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough the Local News Fund we are taking action to help newsrooms innovate and adapt their business models for the online world, while incentivising and encouraging the production of high-quality, trustworthy news that Britain\u2019s towns and villages deserve and rely on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chris Bullivant, chief executive of Bullivant Media Group, said: \u201cAs a family-owned independent publisher, our newspapers and websites are firmly rooted in the communities they serve. We see first-hand the essential role that trusted local journalism plays in keeping people informed, representing local voices, supporting local businesses and holding decision-makers to account.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are delighted that Bullivant Media Group has been selected for support through the Local News Fund. This investment will allow us to modernise the editorial and commercial technology used across our titles, helping our journalists spend more time producing relevant local journalism, improving the service we provide to readers and advertisers, and strengthening the long-term sustainability of independent local news across Worcestershire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands.\u201d<\/p>\n
The \u00a36m Local News Fund is being distributed through a competitive application process overseen by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Applicants had to demonstrate at least 12 months’ experience of providing local journalism in England or Wales and show that their content was editorially accountable.<\/p>\n
Applications were assessed on factors including quality, deliverability and potential short- and long-term impact, with input from an independent industry steering board.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The grants will fund digital upgrades, multimedia projects and initiatives to attract new readers and develop sustainable income<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":266702,"featured_media":2119081,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[53262],"coauthors":[127717],"class_list":["post-2119079","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-news","tag-black-country","tag-coventry-and-warwickshire","tag-featured-story","tag-greater-birmingham","tag-shropshire","tag-staffordshire","tag-worcestershire"],"yoast_head":"\n