The aim of the Newspapers Support Scheme is to support the quality assurance of content related to arts, culture, and heritage in print newspapers.
Fully cognisant of the sector’s current situation with limited financial and human resources, the scheme seeks to support and facilitate ways and means how to address the present challenges.
The proposed scheme is divided in two strands:
Strand 1 aims at supporting linguistic services for print newspapers in the Maltese language. Newspapers published in Maltese will benefit from financial support towards linguistic development including orthography and improvement of journalistic expression in terms of style, clarity, syntax, and semantics. Elements like conciseness, political correctness, clear articulation, and analytical thinking may be addressed professionally and in line with international standards.
Strand 2 aims at supporting expenditure for the creation of regular arts, culture, and heritage content designed to disseminate knowledge to readers about cultural aspects via features, articles and pictorial material in view of promoting events and projects to attract new audiences. Print-based media in Malta is encouraged to feature recognition towards the importance of arts, culture, and heritage as seminal contributors to citizens’ wellbeing in contemporary society.
The scheme supports the below activities:
Strand 1:
- Attendance to proofreading courses in the Maltese language;
- Attendance to refreshers instruction courses in the use of the Maltese language and its constant evolvement;
- Instruction in idiom and stylistic qualities for journalistic writing in the Maltese language for print media;
- Outsourcing of linguistic services such as subber and proofreading services.
Strand 2:
- Attendance to short courses in Maltese and/or English language studies, journalism, and creative writing for the print media;
- Publication of advertorial material promoting arts, culture, and heritage;
- Remuneration for editors and/or contributors of pages and supplements dedicated to arts, culture, and heritage content that feature on a regular basis;
- Writing of reviews and critiques of activities related to arts, culture, and heritage such as exhibitions, performances, tours, and television productions.
All beneficiaries of Strand 2 must include a minimum of 25 double-page spreads in each print newspaper, annually, costing €250 covering arts, culture, and heritage content. Applicants are required to consider the Right to Culture – Resource Pack when developing their proposal in relation to how they engage with communities and the considerations of everyone’s cultural rights in day-to-day practice.
Applicants are also required to consider the Charter for the Status of the Artist when proposing their operational and programming activities to ensure acceptable and decent working conditions for artists and creative practitioners which embraces artistic freedom, accessibility, formal/informal/non-formal skill recognition, decent socio-economic conditions, non-discrimination and equity, ethical considerations and adherence to intellectual property rights and international labour law. The Charter for the Status of the Artist is meant to provide a dynamic frame of reference for any legislation, policy, or initiative which directly or indirectly impacts artists and cultural and creative sectors, ensuring that any action is aligned with the ultimate long-term vision of elevating the status of artists in Malta in line with their tangible value to society.
Who can apply?
The grant is open to undertakings and voluntary organisations that carry out an economic activity within the meaning of Article 107 TFEU (for which assistance will be granted in line with the de minimis Regulation), as well as those applicants that do not carry out an economic activity within the meaning of Article 107 TFEU. (Kindly refer to Section 9 of these guidelines for additional information). Applicants must qualify as one of the following:
• Company registered with the Malta Business Registry;
• Voluntary organisation enrolled with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations.
Furthermore, applicants must qualify as a print medium listed on the Department of Information page available here.
Deadline
The deadline to apply is Tuesday 12th November at noon. Late application cannot be accepted.
Guidelines
Click here to download guidelines and click here to download application form template.
Applicants are required to register a new profile as from January 2021.
Apply here.
Results
Application deadline: 12 November 2024
Ranking Order
Beneficiary: Union Print Co Ltd
Reference number: NSS07-24-4954
Project Title: Pagni Kulturali
Amount awarded: €20,000
Bħala media house il-benefiċarju rrid li il-kontenut kulturali jirreferi għall-ideat, it-twemmin, il-prattiki u s-simboli li jiddefinixxu il-kultura Maltija. Dawn huma kkomunikati permezz ta' diversi artikli fuq il-midja kemm għall-adulti u kif ukoll għall-istudenti. Il-benefiċarju jixtieq jwassal l-messagg fuq is-sinifikat tal-lingwa Maltija fil-preservazzjoni tal-wirt kulturali u l-irwol tal-edukazzjoni fil-promozzjoni tal-ftehim kulturali f'dinja dejjem aktar konnessa bit-teknoloġija u l-komunikazzjoni.
Beneficiary: Allied Newspapers Ltd
Reference number: NSS09-24-4959
Project Title: Arts And Entertainment, The Sunday Times of Malta
Amount awarded: €19,613
An Arts and Culture section in The Sunday Times of Malta, with the main goal of celebrating Malta’s vibrant arts and culture scene; while acknowledging the diversity, capability and range of the islands’ creative community. Content, in the form of coverage and reviews, would showcase events happening locally, including but not limited to theatre productions, art, cinematography, photography and architecture exhibitions, public lectures, and exhibitions.
Beneficiary: Standard Publications Ltd
Reference number: NSS06-24-4953
Project Title: Culture Scan by TMIS
Amount awarded: €20,000
The Malta Independent has long been a dedicated supporter of Malta’s arts and culture scene. Readers not only look forward to its vibrant and insightful previews of upcoming events but also appreciate the post-event reviews and critiques from experienced cultural commentators.
This year’s initiative will give readers an even more comprehensive view of the many productions, exhibitions, and events taking place. It aims to explore the creative process in depth, connecting with artists, producers, directors, and crew members who bring these events to life. By capturing audience reactions and fostering meaningful discussions, the publication seeks to deepen its readers' appreciation and understanding of the arts. Beyond its print publications, TMI will offer interviews and behind-the-scenes stories on its online portal, www.independent.com.mt, providing readers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the creators and performers themselves.
Beneficiary: Azzjoni Kattolika Maltija (AKM)
Reference number: NSS02-24-4940
Project Title: Canvas of Culture: Promoting Arts, Culture and Heritage in Il-Leħen
Amount awarded: €14,000
The newspaper ‘Il-Leħen’ is a 24-Page newspaper published on a weekly basis. Through this project the newspaper will have the opportunity to feature more art and culture content. It will be in a position to increase one issue a month to 28 pages, in which 2 double page spreads would be solely dedicated specifically to arts and culture. At the moment, the newspaper depends on what information is sent to the Editor by its contributors, members of the public or other entitities/organisations for publishing. This project will help the newspaper to engage specific contributors and experts in their fields in order to feature cultural and artistic content on a more regular basis. These contributions may also include the writing of reviews and critiques of activities related to arts and culture. This will not only increase how often such content is published but also the quality of the content itself.
Beneficiary: Mediatoday Co Ltd
Reference number: NSS08-24-4955
Project Title: MaltaToday & Illum Culture Pages
Amount awarded: €20,000
The Sunday newspapers MaltaToday and Illum will each feature a weekly double-page spread on cultural events across the Maltese Islands. These spreads will also be available on their digital platforms, maltatoday.com.mt and illum.com.mt.
Beneficiary: Mediatoday Co Ltd
Reference number: NSS05-24-4945
Project Title: Outsourcing of linguistic services - proofreading services
Amount awarded: €12,000
The beneficiary’s project aims to elevate the quality of Maltese-language journalism by addressing key linguistic aspects, including orthography, journalistic style, clarity and syntax. By improving these elements, the newsroom will produce content that aligns with international journalistic standards, promotes clarity of thought, and ensures politically correct and analytically sound reporting.
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