The news industry is working exceptionally hard to keep people informed during the Coronavirus pandemic.
At a time when journalism is critical to keeping the world up to date about the virus, ad revenues are declining.
Local journalists are being hit particularly hard, even as people turn to them for critical information to keep their friends, families and communities safe.
Yesterday Facebook announced that an additional $100 million investment to support the news industry—$25 million in emergency grant funding for local news through the 'Facebook Journalism Project', and $75 million in additional marketing spend to move money over to news organizations around the world.
Through the COVID-19 Community Network grant program, direct funding is helping journalists cover important stories when need most. They're building on this work and will direct a portion of these funds to publishers most in need in the countries effected most. The first round of these grants went to 50 local newsrooms in the US and Canada. Here are some examples of how they've used the funding to support their COVID-19 news coverage:
- The Post and Courier, South Carolina
Took down its paywall for coronavirus stories. It will use the grant to cover travel costs and remote work capabilities to extend coverage to rural, news desert portions of the state. - Southeast Missourian, Missouri
Publishing email newsletters highlighting coronavirus coverage. The newspaper will use its grant to bolster remote work technology and on contingency plans for reaching elderly readers should print distribution be disrupted. - El Paso Matters, Texas
New local online news organization launched earlier this year by former El Paso Times editor Bob Moore. The team will use their grant to hire freelance reporters and translators to expand coverage of coronavirus in El Paso and across the border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
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