Key Facts
Our Purpose
The Digital News Transformation Fund helps local and independent publishers grow digitally, produce impactful journalism, and build long-term sustainability.
We fund projects that:
- Deliver public-interest journalism
- Drive digital transformation
- Boost financial sustainability and audience engagement
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include:
- Local and independent news publishers in South Africa
- Industry bodies, associations, or support organisations serving the local media ecosystem
- Collectives or consortiums proposing industry-wide projects
Applicants must:
- Be legally registered entities
- Be Press Council members in good standing
- Be tax compliant
- Demonstrate organisational capacity and a genuine commitment to digital transformation
Who cannot apply?
The following are ineligible:
The following are ineligible:
- Aggregators, general-interest magazines, and broadcasters
- Political parties, campaigns, or projects with political propaganda
- Publishers with over 1 million monthly unique visitors
- Unregistered or non-compliant entities
- Projects implemented outside South Africa (unless benefiting SA audiences)
- Completed activities (no retrospective funding)
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include:
- Local and independent news publishers in South Africa
- Industry bodies, associations, or support organisations serving the local media ecosystem
- Collectives or consortiums proposing industry-wide projects
Applicants must:
- Be legally registered entities
- Be Press Council members in good standing
- Be tax compliant
- Demonstrate organisational capacity and a genuine commitment to digital transformation
Who cannot apply?
The following are ineligible:
The following are ineligible:
- Aggregators, general-interest magazines, and broadcasters
- Political parties, campaigns, or projects with political propaganda
- Publishers with over 1 million monthly unique visitors
- Unregistered or non-compliant entities
- Projects implemented outside South Africa (unless benefiting SA audiences)
- Completed activities (no retrospective funding)
Next Steps
Independent publishers are the future of a stronger, more diverse media landscape. Now is the time to take your business further; to innovate, grow, and transform. Look ahead with confidence and apply to the Digital News Transformation Fund.
Applications open 25 August.
Apply for funding
