News Corp and the Murdoch family will give $5 million to help those affected by the Australian bushfire crisis.

This comes after the announcement that the company will dedicate the paper sales and advertisement dollars from January 21 to bushfire relief.

The donation will go to charitable organisations helping local firefighters, providing emergency services to communities affected by the fires, and participating in the long-term revival of those communities.

“It is clear that confronting the bushfire disaster in Australia requires both an immediate response and an ongoing investment in rebuilding the lives and livelihoods of those most affected by the fires across the country,” said Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman.

“As a company with roots in Australia and an abiding commitment to its people and communities, we are determined to help, both in this time of great need, and well into the future, as the hard work of restoration continues.”

Chief Executive Robert Thomson said News Corp’s journalists and editors had done an “extraordinary job” tracking the tragic fires “and their profound impact on individuals, communities and the environment.”

“Our company also has an important role to play in supporting our firefighters and the long-term renewal of communities hardest hit by the tragedy. The funds allocated will be targeted at ensuring those communities and their people have material support as they begin the task of rebuilding after suffering unfathomable losses,” he said.

The funding is in addition to previously made donations, which include:

– $2m from Rupert and Jerry Murdoch

– $2m from Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch

– The proceeds from sales and advertisement of metro newspapers on January 21, with a goal of raising more than $1 million.

– News Corp Australia previously donated 50,000 to the Salvation Army and the Red Cross

– Foxtel, majority owned by News Corp, will donate the proceeds from special advertising packages for its broadcast of bushfire charity events held by Cricket Australia, the AFL and NRL to assist people and communities affected by the bushfires. This will include advertising from the Fire Fight concert in February. This is expected to raise up to $500,000.

– Foxtel has also made an $100,000 donation to the Red Cross;

– REA Group, majority owned by News Corp, has donated to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal, and announced a Bushfire Relief Support Package for REA Group customers

– News Corp is contributing USD$50,000 to the American Australian Association’s Bushfire Relief Fund in conjunction with its 2020 Arts Awards on January 30 in New York.

Disclosure: Local Media Pty Ltd, publisher of The Local Paper and Melbourne Observer, is not connected with News Corp.