Submission to the News Media Assistance Program Consultation

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA)'s submission to the News Media Assistance Program Consultation makes key recommendations around the availability and accessibility of news and journalism and media literacy support. It outlines the citical role of libraries in providing equality of access to news media, and support and challenges required to support this role.
The following recommendations are made:

• That in developing the news media assistance program that access to and accessibility of news media is identified as a priority.
• That in developing the news media assistance program, the Department liaises with the Australian Library and Information Association to ensure strategic investment in programs that support public and educational libraries to provide access and support accessibility of news media content to all Australians, including priority cohorts.   
• That the government funds the Australian Library and Information Association to work with researchers to update and expand evidence-based media literacy programs and fund the roll-out across public libraries in Australia.