Facebook will be giving $5 million in payments to local journalists in multi-year deals as part of its new publishing platform in a bid to help independent writers attract an audience and make money through the social media network, reports Reuters.
The move is part of the tech giant’s response to the trend of email newsletters.
Facebook’s new publishing platform will be integrated with Facebook Pages and will include a free self-publishing tool for journalists to send out newsletters or create their own website.
Independent journalists in the U.S. can apply to the program.
“Journalists will be able to earn additional money from publishing stories using Facebook’s tools, starting with subscriptions, and each writer can set their own price,” Facebook added.
The social media giant will be partnering with the International Center for Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists to evaluate applications.
The selected candidates will have access to experts and services to help them build a news business.
