LINA - Local & Independent News Association

09/06/2026

A win in transparency, via our partners at Democracy Counts 👏

An incremental but important win for democracy in Victoria today.

New election donation laws have passed the parliament, meaning Victorians will know who is funding the campaigns asking for their vote at the November state election.

It’s an important step forward – with the laws reinstating a ban on all foreign political donations, ensuring real-time disclosure of donations above $1,250 and removing provisions that unfairly favoured major parties.

But there is still work to do.

The review of electoral laws after the November election is our next opportunity to ensure ordinary Australians have more influence than wealthy donors — including caps on campaign expenditure, and a level playing field for all candidates.

Sign up to be part of the campaign at www.democracycounts.org.au

27/05/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who supported LINA’s 2026 Our News. Your Voice. campaign.

Together, communities across Australia helped raise more than $67,000 for local and independent journalism, including $10,554 in matched funding support.

More than 40 independent newsrooms took part in this year’s campaign, with new recurring donors signing up to back public interest reporting in their communities.

At a time when trusted local news matters more than ever, this support helps independent publishers continue delivering journalism that informs, connects and holds power to account.

Thank you to every donor, newsroom and supporter who helped make this campaign possible!

25/05/2026

Local reporters are uncovering the stories that matter most to their communities.

Across Australia, local and independent newsrooms supported through LINA Microgrants are investigating issues that have real public impact - from cancer concerns in Canungra, to childcare shortages in Kiama, to the community impacts of regional rail trail projects.

Through investigative, data-driven and solutions-focused reporting, these newsrooms are strengthening accountability and helping communities better understand the issues shaping their lives.

Find out more: https://lina.org.au/grants/microgrants/

21/05/2026

The News Bargaining Incentive has been front and centre of LINA's work over the past few weeks...

ICYMI this is the governments' update to the News Media Bargaining Code introduced in 2021, which aimed to address market power imbalance between large digital platforms and the Australian news publishers who produce the news content they profit from. The Incentive brings digital platforms to the bargaining table, either through doing deals with news publishers, or paying a levy charge.

While LINA is supportive of the proposed legislation in principle, we are working alongside industry colleagues requesting minor amendments to the proposed legislation so that:
1. 25% of all deals are made with small and medium news publishers;
2. Platforms can receive a higher offset rate for these deals; and
3. Should levy funds be collected, a portion of those funds (15%) be set-aside for a grant program to support small and medium publishers.

LINA submitted consultations on the NBI and has been meeting with representatives across the political spectrum to discuss our recommendations, including Assistant Treasurer Dr Daniel Mulino, Minister for Communications Anika Wells, Shadow Minister for Communications Senator Sarah Henderson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Kate Chaney MP, Dai Le MP, Mary Aldred MP, Zali Steggall OAM MP, Tracey Roberts MP, and more.

See our Joint Statement: https://lina.org.au/2026/05/19/joint-statement-call-for-amendments-to-the-news-bargaining-incentive/

Alongside the Alliance for Journalists'​ Freedom, Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, Digital Publishers Alliance, Christian Media & Arts Australia, Disability Media Australia, McKinnon, IMMA - Independent Multicultural Media Australia, National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters' Council, News, Technology, and Society Network, Public Interest Journalism Initiative, Public Interest Publishers Alliance.

20/05/2026

LINA has joined 11 other organisations across the country in calling for changes to the Australian Government’s proposed News Bargaining Incentive. We welcome the intent behind the policy and the recognition that the news industry needs sustainable support in the face of ongoing disruption from global digital platforms. It’s a meaningful and important step forward.

But with some practical adjustments the framework can better support a genuinely diverse and competitive media ecosystem, ensuring smaller publishers have a fair and realistic opportunity to participate and benefit.

Strong public interest journalism is essential to a healthy democracy - and that includes the small, independent, regional and multicultural publishers working every day to keep communities informed across Australia.

Read the joint statement here: https://lina.org.au/2026/05/19/joint-statement-call-for-amendments-to-the-news-bargaining-incentive/

18/05/2026

Independent media matters because it tells the stories too often left out of mainstream conversations.

In this recent episode of Meet the Newsrooms, Joseph Friedman, co-founder and publisher of About Time , Australia’s national prison newspaper, shares why giving people a voice matters.

About Time publishes stories of accountability, rehabilitation, hope, addiction recovery, advocacy, and second chances.

Published monthly and distributed free to tens of thousands of readers across Australian prisons, About Time provides news, education, expression and connection to people inside the prison system.

Listen to the full podcast episode here: https://shows.acast.com/meet-the-newsrooms/episodes/69965add7012ce53766d4305

14/05/2026

Welcome to our newest members 👏

C31 Melbourne is a free-to-air community TV channel supporting diverse communities with content designed for digital audiences.

West Vic News publishes trusted local newspapers across Western Victoria, connecting more than 30,000 readers each week.

And Elector helps Australians follow federal politics and public accountability through greater transparency and engagement tracking.

We’re excited to have these organisations as part of our community.

07/05/2026

Support the newsrooms your community relies on.

Local and independent journalism delivers fact-based, locally relevant reporting, counters misinformation and connects communities

Yet many of these newsrooms are under-resourced and at risk.

The Our News. Your Voice campaign is helping change that - but it depends on public support.

Get involved and support your local newsrooms: https://lina.org.au/our-news-your-voice/

06/05/2026

Local and independent journalism is essential for democracy, accountability, and social cohesion.

Yet, misinformation is rising and the newsrooms doing critical, fact-based reporting are struggling to sustain their work.

This week, we’re holding a national campaign to support independent newsrooms across Australia.

Join the fight to support them: https://lina.org.au/our-news-your-voice/

06/05/2026

Local and independent newsrooms are vital to a healthy democracy. They report on the stories that matter to your community - keeping people informed, connected, and accountable.

But many are operating with small teams and limited resources, and need support to keep going.

If you value trusted, fact-based reporting, please get involved and support their vital work.

Learn more: https://lina.org.au/our-news-your-voice/