Trusted news source gives readers a voice Here’s what we’ll be doing...
CAMPAIGN FOR RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM WINS SUPPORT
OUR Fighting Fake News campaign is aimed at reminding our readers about the importance of our brand in bringing you trusted news.
Next week, we will be staging an Interactive Day, where we will open our newsrooms to our readers by showcasing what our journalists do every day and answering your questions.
Our campaign will also open out our journalists to check stories you may have heard about or seen online.
We will be talking to some of the people in our communities to ask them to say why they value the trusted news service we deliver every day.
We have also lined up a series of politicians and famous names who will be talking about why they believe the local print industry is important. THE ongoing campaign to fight fake news is being backed by local campaigners and readers.
We have joined forces with local and regional titles across the UK to launch a campaign for sociallyresponsible, quality journalism.
The need for independent local newspapers and their websites to report and explain the issues in an entirely neutral, honest and balanced way is essential.
Research shows that regional press is the most trusted of all sources of news and information.
It also remains critical in ensuring communities are central to the debate.
Greater Manchester’s outgoing Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd says local journalism is vital in holding authorities to account.
He said: “The M.E.N. is a trusted and reliable source of news which provides a strong voice for Greater Manchester people.
“Regional journalism is a vital cog in the democratic debate. It holds the powerful to account.
“It ensures that elected representatives are doing their job properly, exposing wrongdoing and showcasing good practice. It shines a light on the work of public agencies and private bodies.
“In this era of fake news, we need the regional media more than ever, and the M.E.N. represents journalism at its very best.”
Local trusted news sources are also a vital tool in giving a voice to local people.
Nobody knows this better than Dawn Wright, who came to the M.E.N. asking for help when her mum was targeted by a criminal.
Dawn’s dying mum, 69, was befriended by her neighbour Kathleen Moore.
But Moore stole bank cards belonging to a dying grandmother, who has terminal bone cancer.
Ahead of Moore’s appearance and Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court Dawn called the M.E.N. to ask for help.
We sent journalist Andrew Bardsley to court with Dawn and her daughter to cover the story and offer support.
When Moore was handed a suspended sentence Dawn said the support she received from our journalist was ‘invaluable.’ She said: “I cannot begin to describe the devastation when my terminally ill vulnerable mum was violated in her own home by a family “friend”. She gave up on what little life she had left.
“Our reliance on the justice system was fruitless. The only thing that saved our sanity and gave us any comfort was the amazing journalist who literally held us together in the court room and gave us a voice in the local community by ensuring that people were aware so this vile perpetrator could not strike again.
“It dawned on me that day that journalists are far more than reporters.
“They provide not only support but a voice for people and without that voice, people like us would end their days feeling frustrated at the system.”
Jeremy Hoad, chairman of Levenshulme Community Association, said: “In a world awash with fake news being able to trust a source like the M.E.N. supported by good journalists is essential.
“Be sceptical of everything but respect good local news from reputable sources like the M.E.N.”