More than 100 new jobs will be created in regional journalism across the country thanks to last week’s announcement that Coimisiún na Meán is to award €5.7 million to news outlets under their new Journalism Schemes.

The Journalism Schemes cover Local Democracy and Courts Reporting – the first time Coimisiún na Meán has directly supported public-interest journalism for communities across Ireland on a platform-neutral basis.

As part of the awards, over 100 new or enhanced journalist roles will be created across the country.

This includes 71 newly funded roles for journalists – including a number at the Connacht Tribune – and more than 30 roles where freelance or part-time journalists will see enhanced employment terms.

Coimisiún na Meán Media Development Commissioner Rónán Ó Domhnaill said that the Schemes delivered on their objective ‘to support the delivery of high-quality, trusted and independent news and current affairs’.

“The Journalism Schemes will play an important role in sustaining Ireland’s vibrant democracy by informing and engaging citizens on issues of importance to them,” he said.

“Local news is hugely important to Irish people, and these schemes will ensure that people across Ireland get the news stories that matter to them,” he added.

Mr Ó Domhnaill revealed that there was a high demand for these Schemes.

“We received 131 applications and have awarded funding to 103 of these under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme, the Courts Reporting Scheme and through the Ancillary Schemes which support long-form, in-depth and investigative journalism,” he said.

“Every one of the 26 counties will see journalism funded on matters of public importance, including the work of local authorities and district and circuit courts.

“We are proud to be funding both Irish and English language journalism and several innovative online reporting projects.”

He said that the support of the Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport and his Department had been central to the funding of these Schemes.

“The Local Democracy and Court Reporting Schemes are the first steps in a roll out of at least six Schemes designed to support and enhance Irish journalism in the years ahead,” he said.

“Later this year two further Schemes will also open for applications, as will a second iteration of the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes.’’

The first Journalism Schemes are being operated on an administrative basis and were developed following a public consultation last year.

The applications were assessed by an independent panel of assessors. The Schemes were among several recommendations of the Future of Media Commission Report.

The initial Journalism Schemes will be reviewed on an ongoing basis to assess their effectiveness, and this review will inform the development of future Schemes to strengthen Ireland’s media sector.

Pictured: Rónán Ó Domhnaill with Declan McGuire of the Connacht Tribune at last week’s launch of the Local Democracy and Courts Schemes.