Facebook has unveiled a new $2 million investment in grant funding to support publishers in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region covering the Coronavirus pandemic.
Redirecting funds which were meant for the social media giant’s Splice Beta Fund, the new grant will aid 50 publishers in the region with support in mentoring and training journalists who are reporting on the latest developments around the world — helping them to navigate the economic impact as well as building a sustainable digital business.
Facebook will be working closely with the Walker Foundation to hand out funds to publishers based in Australia and New Zealand that are outside city centres.
Facebook is also working with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), where it will offer a combination of grants, webinars and professional mentorship.
In addition, the social media platform is set to launch a virtual edition of its Reader Revenue Accelerator grant and training program to help publishers monetise readership.
This announcement follows something similar done by Google last week in supporting publishers during these times as the tech giant released a Journalism Emergency Relief Fund to provide support for local and small newsrooms on the frontline of covering COVID-19.