Commercial radio projects in Ireland will receive approximately €2.7 million for public interest journalism, with over €1m going to Onic stations.
The funding forms part of the second round of Coimisiún na Meán’s News Reporting Scheme, which is distributing €4.4 million across 80 long form projects.
The remaining €1.7 million has been allocated to print and online publications. Almost €900,000 will support 12 projects produced in Irish or bilingually.
Onic receives help to the tune of €1m for programming across its services, whilst Bauer gets €386,023 for news, minority sports and Irish language programming.
Over €155,000 goes to Midlands 103 for community news and features – LMFM gets almost €130,000 for two features, and Q102 will spend €105,593 on producing Dublin Today.
Galway Bay FM will produce In the Loop, a weekly news programme intended to help children aged between eight and 14 understand current events and challenge misinformation and disinformation at a cost of €103,502.
WLR FM will produce “Waterford 360” for €102,476 whilst €81,046 goes to KCLR for public interest reporting.
The Infinite Scroll, an investigative documentary series by Onic examining social media addiction in Ireland across a group of radio stations costing €19,960.
The full list of stations receiving the funds: Radio Nova, 96FM, Highland Radio, Northern Sound, Shannonside, C103, Raidio na Life, Sunshine, FM104, Classic Hits, Q102, Clare FM, Midwest Radio, Tipp FM, Live 95, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry, South East Radio and WLR FM.
Guthanna na Cathrach will provide a weekly Irish language radio series focusing on news issues in Dublin.
Rónán Ó Domhnaill, Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, said the schemes were intended “to offer funding and support, on a platform neutral basis, to independent, skilled and trusted journalism”.
He added that the funding would support “the investigation and coverage of news and current affairs stories which may not otherwise be covered”.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan welcomed the allocation, which follows a pilot round of the scheme last year. A third round of the Local Democracy Reporting and Courts Reporting Schemes is expected to open later in 2026. Those schemes will support journalism and reporting roles covering local democracy bodies and local courts.
The Community Media Fund also opened in July, offering funding for community broadcasters covering training, outreach, Irish language projects, inclusivity and accessibility.
