Editorial Subsidies
Editorial subsidies are provided to general news media in need of financial subsidies for their editorial activities. General news media may, for example, include daily newspapers, free newspapers, websites, podcasts, apps, etc. whose primary mission is to cover the news.
There are two forms of financial support that news media may apply for – press subsidies and media subsidies. These financial subsidies exist to promote a diversity of news media at both the national and local level, as well as to reinforce the presence of news media even in low-coverage areas of the country. The Media Subsidies Council decides which news media are to receive subsidies.
Two types of subsidies for the media
The two types of subsidies, press subsidies and media subsidies, are only available to general news media, but they are targeted at different types of news media in the sector. Press subsidies are entitlement subsidies, which means that if the newspaper meets all the criteria it will always receive subsidies, while media subsidies are granted on a means-tested basis. The requirements media outlets are to meet in order to receive subsidies are regulated in the Press Subsidies Ordinance and the Media Subsidies Ordinance.
Press Subsidies
Aimed at both printed and digital newspapers with paying subscribers. This could be your national or local morning paper, for example. There are two forms of subsidies within press subsidies – distribution subsidies and operational subsidies. To be eligible for press subsidies, the newspaper need to meet a number of criteria. One of the basic requirements for press subsidies is that the newspaper is regularly published, at least once a week, and has at least 1,500 paying subscribers.
Media Subsidies
Aimed at all general news media whose main purpose is to convey news. The content can be text, audio or moving images delivered via web-based media, printed newspapers, radio or television. Paid and free media are both eligible for media subsidies. Media subsidies may therefore be given to news media regardless of the form of publication or distribution. There are three types of media subsidies – Subsidies for Local Journalism, Innovation and Development Subsidies and Editorial Subsidies.
Eligibility criteria for editorial subsidies
Editorial subsidies may be granted to general news media which
- have editorial content that constitutes at least 50 per cent of the total content,
- have exclusive, self-produced editorial content consisting of news coverage and scrutiny that represent at least 20 per cent of the medium’s total content,
- are accessible to the general public,
- have their own title with independent editorial resources,
- have a publisher,
- follow good media ethics,
- promote the accessibility of their editorial content to people with disabilities,
- are aimed at a Swedish target group,
- are published or broadcasted at least 45 times a year (high regularity) and
- have at least 1,500 regular users (good user retention).
Editorial subsidies must not be provided to media that receive operating subsidies under the Press Subsidies Ordinance (1990:524).