Country Press Australia and Google have come to an agreement that will see dozens of regional newspaper titles join Google News Showcase and receive digital transformation funding.
Country Press Australia represents almost 180 independently owned regional and local newspapers and online platforms across Australia.
Under the agreement, it’s expected that Google will welcome over 70 regional Country Press Australia news publications to Google News Showcase – a program paying publishers to curate content and build deeper relationships with readers.
Andrew Manuel, President of Country Press Australia, said the agreement recognises the vital importance of local news media to their communities. “Country Press Australia member newspapers provide an essential service to local communities and are vital to the local democracies being able to assist in holding those responsible to account,” Mr Manuel said.
“Local newspapers are often the only source of local news and provide a platform for informed public debate. This agreement will help sustain public interest journalism across regional Australia well into the future with a monetary exchange, innovation changes as well as enabling a sustainable online model for traditional newspaper publishers,” Country Press Australia President Andrew Manuel said.
Kate Beddoe, Google’s Director of News Partnerships APAC, said the agreement would support many titles that have operated in their local communities for decades, providing vital news and information to their regions. “We are very pleased to reach this agreement and welcome Country Press Australia outlets to Google News Showcase,” Ms Beddoe said. “We are also working with Country Press Australia to support the ongoing digital transformation of its members, helping with the sustainability of these news businesses.”
“We’ve helped support the news industry for two decades and Showcase is our biggest investment yet. We look forward to continuing to build on this important work in partnership with the Australian news industry.” Beddoe said.
