Google Launches GNI Innovation Challenge for News Orgs
- By CDOTrends editors
- August 16, 2022
The news industry in Asia-Pacific is under immense pressure. From technological disruptions to changing user habits, the landscape is constantly evolving — and it can be hard to keep up.
That's why Google has announced the third iteration of a regional innovation challenge to incentivize innovation and spark new thinking among news organizations of all sizes.
The GNI Innovation Challenge aims to empower news organizations from around the world to demonstrate new thinking in digital journalism. According to Google, it's open to any organization with a great idea, whether it's launching a new news product, increasing quality in journalism, or finding a new way to diversify revenue.
Up to USD250,000 will be available for selected projects, covering anything from "using artificial intelligence in the newsroom to diversifying business models or figuring out ways to increase audience engagement or even reach new audiences."
In addition to these, Google also encouraged projects focused on, but not limited to, the following: business intelligence approaches to better leverage data capabilities, new methods of distribution, combating misinformation, and increasing trust in journalism.
Successful projects
Google has funded forty-one projects since the first challenge. For example, in 2020, Taiwan's CommonWealth Education Media & Publishing Co. proposed a project that leverages Google Assistant's conversational actions to engage families with children. Together with local educators, they designed and developed a series of thought-provoking interactive audio content relevant to both young and old audiences.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Roar Media received funding for a project to tackle the issue of fake news and misinformation in South Asia. According to Roar Media, authentic citizen journalism is often hampered by a lack of quality control. The company plans to address this by setting up a "hybrid model of citizen journalism that is fact-checked and curated by an expert panel of editors."
According to Google, there is no requirement to use Google products or technology as part of the projects. But if successful, the company says it will work with the winners to help them implement their ideas.
Interested applicants have until 23 August to submit their proposals via the online application form. Projects will be evaluated against five main criteria: innovation, impact on the news industry, feasibility, diversity, and inspiration.