Local Journalism Initiative
In some parts of Canada, residents do not have access to journalistic information about community issues and institutions through local newspapers, community radio, television or other news media. These gaps in coverage mean that citizens do not have necessary information about news, issues and events that affect them and their day-to-day lives.
The Local Journalism Initiative aims to change that.

Become a Host News Organization

Who can apply?

The Local Journalism Initiative is open to existing Canadian news organizations. To be eligible for funding, an applicant must be:

  • a press agency;
  • a private news organization; or,
  • a non-profit news organization.

Private non-community broadcasters and the CBC/Radio-Canada are not eligible.

News Media Canada’s Local Journalism Initiative program is open to Canadian print and online news media, and we particularly encourage applications from Indigenous news organizations.

Applicants are encouraged to apply to the appropriate Administrator Organization that serves their particular segment of the industry. For a list of Administrator Organizations, including those serving official language minority written press, ethnic newspapers, community radio, and community television, click here.

To verify eligibility, News Media Canada will require applicants to confirm that they:

  • are majority owned and controlled by Canadians or otherwise meet the requirements of Section 19 of the Income Tax Act;
  • engage in coverage of democratic bodies/institutions and civic function journalism as core principles;
  • are edited, designed, assembled and published in Canada and directed primarily at Canadian audiences in Canada;
  • have completed at least one uninterrupted 12-month publishing cycle.

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This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. | Ce projet a été rendu possible en partie grâce au gouvernement du Canada.
Government of Canada