Digital News Transformation Fund for Independent news publishers (South Africa) – Opportunities For Africans

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Application Deadline:  21 September 2025

Applications at the moment are open for the Digital News Transformation Fund. The DNTF presents small, medium, and community-based impartial news publishers a possibility to safe funding for initiatives that drive digital transformation and long-term sustainability in a quickly evolving media panorama.

Independent publishers are a significant part of South Africa’s democratic infrastructure, offering native, neighborhood, and public-interest journalism typically not lined by bigger news shops. Yet many face growing stress to adapt and survive in a fast-changing media setting. Structural challenges, together with declining print income, shifting viewers habits, and the necessity to compete in a digital-first news setting, have intensified.

The R114-million Fund is a partnership between Google and the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) and administered by Tshikululu Social Investments. The fund is designed to assist South African publishers strengthen digital capability, diversify income streams, and future-proof their operations.

Requirements

The DNTF is open to:

• Early-stage news publishers in want of foundational digital instruments (akin to web sites, content material administration programs, cameras, audio-visual gear) and steerage to formalise operations.
• Mid-stage news publishers with a longtime on-line presence who require strategic and technical help to develop audiences, launch new merchandise, or diversify income.
• Established publishers with fewer than 1 million month-to-month distinctive web site customers who’re able to experiment with sector-wide improvements or new enterprise fashions that may be replicated.

Eligible candidates should (abstract solely):

• Be members in good standing of the Press Council.
• Operate a news publication serving a South African viewers.
• Demonstrate a dedication to editorial independence and public-interest journalism.
• Have a clearly outlined digital transformation venture with measurable outcomes.
• Meet the Fund’s governance and compliance necessities.

Application Timeline

• From 22 September to 27 October, functions shall be reviewed by way of an adjudication and due diligence course of.
• The Fund’s oversight and advisory board will ratify chosen grantees between 27 October and 9 November, with contracting and disbursements going down from 10 November to 7 December 2025 (upon receipt of signed contracts).
• Funded publishers will start coaching on 12 January 2026.
  

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Digital News Transformation Fund