The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has opened applications for Australian news businesses wishing to register for the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code.
The code aims to help support the sustainability of public interest journalism in Australia.
To be registered, applicants need to meet the eligibility requirements set out in the code, which include:
- Primary content focused on “core news content”, or issues/events relevant in engaging Australians in public debate and informing democratic decision-making, or current issues/events of public significance for Australians at a local, regional or national level;
- Revenue of over $150,000 for the previous year;
- An audience test (proving that your audience is predominantly Australian; and,
- A professional standards test, which requires editorial independence from your news subjects, and the standards set by the Australian Press Council Standards of Practice.
The ACMA has published a set of guidelines to help potential applicants determine whether they are eligible to register under the code.
ACMA Chair Nerida O’Loughlin said eligible corporations that operate news businesses could apply via the ACMA website.
“I encourage any news businesses interested in being registered under the code to carefully read through the eligibility guidelines on our website and, if eligible, to apply through our online portal,” Ms O’Loughlin said.
“The ACMA will assess applications and publish details about registered news businesses on its website.”
Registered corporations and their news sources will be published on a register on the ACMA website.
Access the application portal and the ACMA’s guidelines on the ACMA website.
