Image: City Hub's archives, from 2000, 1998, and 2009 (L to R)
City Hub began publishing in 1995. The newspaper went online in 2008. The first 13 years of our independent coverage have not been available online. Until now.
Thanks to the Meta Australian News Fund in partnership with the Walkley Foundation, City Hub can now begin the process of digitising our archives.
For almost 30 years, City Hub has dedicated itself to covering local voices and reporting on issues that affect the inner-city community.
The digitised archives will be an important resource for local issues both past and present, a historical capsule available to all online.
Recognition of City Hub
Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich said, “In an age of globalised media it is vital to have local voices covering local concerns and City Hub has been doing this for the inner city.”
“Putting this history online will help make sure it remains accessible into the future as a resource for the inner city community.”
Greens Member for Balmain Kobi Shetty similarly shared her support for the Hub‘s coverage, saying “City Hub is a fantastic local institution. They help keep our community informed and connected by sharing news that matters to them.”
“Independent local news outlets like City Hub are so important for transparency and accountability. I hope to see them continue for many years to come.”
Referencing the newspaper’s extensive coverage on the Inner West, Independent Councillor John Stamolis from Inner West Council said, “It’s great that City Hub are providing an easily accessible archive to a huge range of stories on the Inner West. This will provide an important resource for our community.”
Highlighting the importance of covering local news, journalist and professor at University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) Wendy Bacon said City Hub‘s archives are “invaluable because in them, you will find many stories that were not covered by any other media.”
“Local voices and perspectives are so important but sadly City Hub is one of the few places you will find them these days,” she said.
Based in Ultimo, City Hub has made its place in the history of City of Sydney and the documenting of that history.
Labor Councillor Linda Scott from City of Sydney said, “City Hub records our City’s stories in a way that no other local paper does. From our harbour to those who harbour for more power, City Hub has it all!”
“Thank you for being our truth teller in all tales of Sydney.”
Last of round of Meta funding?
City Hub was granted funds to digitise its archives in the final round of the three-year Meta Australian News Fund program.
Over the last three years, in partnership with the Walkley Foundation, the Fund has awarded $15 million to Australian digital publications and journalists.
In its efforts to improve public interest journalism in Australia, the fund has supported over 150 Australian-based newsrooms and journalists.
Meta established its fund in 2021 at the same time that it entered into three year funding arrangements with Australia’s large publishers under the News Media Bargaining Code.
Meta recently announced that they would not renew those commercial deals when they expire in a few months time. It is expected that Meta will not renew their contract with the Walkley Foundation either.
Meta‘s statement that it will not renew its commercial deals with Australian publishers could lead to commercial sanctions under the News Media Bargaining Code. As Facebook prepares to unfriend Australia, City Hub begins the process of digitising our historic archives with the last of Meta‘s funds.
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