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Dublin, 15 August 2025 — Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, has announced a €10 million funding allocation to support public interest journalism in Ireland. The funding will be administered by Coimisiún na Meán and aims to strengthen media coverage of local governance, judicial proceedings, and underreported news topics.
💶 Funding Breakdown
The €10 million allocation will be distributed across two key initiatives:
- €6 million for Round 2 of the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes, building on the success of the initial round and enabling media outlets to enhance coverage of local authorities and court activities.
- €4 million for the launch of a new News Reporting Scheme, designed to support reporting on news areas that currently receive limited coverage.
📻 Support for Commercial Radio
As part of the News Reporting Scheme, €3 million has been ring-fenced specifically for commercial radio services. This targeted funding will enable stations to expand high-quality reporting on matters of public interest, reinforcing their role in delivering trusted news to communities across Ireland.
Minister O’Donovan highlighted the importance of this measure, stating:
“The allocation recognises the important role of commercial radio services in providing high-quality, trustworthy and accurate news to the public. This funding will enhance the provision of public service content to both local and national audiences.”
🎯 Policy Alignment and Sector Impact
The initiative aligns with the Government’s commitment to support objective news and current affairs content, as outlined in the Programme for Government. It complements existing supports provided to the commercial radio sector through the Sound and Vision Scheme.
Minister O’Donovan emphasized the broader societal value of the investment:
“Commercial radio stations play an invaluable role in community engagement, cohesion and the promotion of social inclusion. This funding ensures that economic sustainability goes hand-in-hand with the delivery of trusted information to our citizens.”
🏛 Role of Coimisiún na Meán
Coimisiún na Meán will oversee the implementation of both schemes, providing guidance and resources to eligible media outlets. The Commission is expected to launch application processes and engagement sessions in the coming weeks.
