Queen’s praise for ‘trusted and reliable’ news in Covid-19 crisis

Her Majesty sends a message of support to kick off the Journalism Matters campaign

Thequeenhassenta message of support highlighting the vital role played by newspapers during the coronavirus pandemic to News media association members for the journalism Matters campaign.

In the message of support, published this week, The

Queen writes: “The covid-19 pandemic has once again demonstrated wha tan important public service the established newsmedia provides, both nationally and regionally. A sour world has changed dramatically, having trusted, reliable sources of information, particularly at a time when there are so many sources competing for our attention, is vital.

“The efforts of the news media to support communities throughout the United Kingdom during the pandemic have been in valuable – whether through fundraising, encouraging volunteering, or providing a lifeline for the elderly and vulnerable to the outside world.”

Meanwhile, while trusted journalism has beenavital part of the country’s response to the coronavirus crisis, the industry which produces it needs support, News Media association chairmanhenry Faure Walker said. He highlighted the campaigning initiatives undertaken by news media titles during the crisis.

Hesaid: “This year has been one of the most disruptive and uncertain in living memory.

“Coronavirus has swept the globe leaving a trail of misery and hardship in its wake. Governments have been grappling with a relentless succession of difficult and complexdecisions in order to secure the best – or least worst – outcomefortheir citizens.

“In the news mediaindustry, part of our job has been to help our readers make sense of these unprecedented events. Wehave reported onevery twist andturnofthe local andnational lockdowns and kept you up to date with vital public health information. “Wehaveheldpower to account androbustly challenged the decisionmakers on your behalf.

“We have run campaigns to raise funds for frontline workers and awareness of the challenging worktheydoeach dayto keepusall safe.

“We have given our backing to small businesses, the engine of our economy, with free advertising to help them through these challenging times.

“Wehavelaunched initiatives to help people keep in touch with their families during the national andlocal lockdowns.

“We have run campaigns demanding ppe for all front line Nhsworkers, andevenflown Ppe into the country when supplies wereshort.” Headded:

“Thelocal andnational news media have been a fundamental part of the country’s response to coronavirus andwill continue to beso.

“But journalism itself has not beenimmunetothe challenges of the pandemic.

“Advertising revenues, the lifeblood of independent journalism, have been hammered by the economic downturnleaving us with less moneytoinvest in the journalism weall wantto read. At the local level, many news brands are in a perilous position.

“We now ur gently need Government to intervene with a series of targeted initiatives to help sustain local independent journalism in this country.”