Queen pays tribute to vital role newspapers have played during crisis

THE QUEEN has praised the role of news media organisations during the coronavirus outbreak, describing trusted sources of information as “vital”.

She also paid tribute to the “invaluable” efforts of local, regional and national newspapers supporting communities during the pandemic, in a message of support for the News Media Association’s ( NMA) week- long Journalism Matters campaign, which begins today.

The Queen says in her message: “The Covid- 19 pandemic has once again demonstrated what an important public service the established news media provides, both nationally and regionally.

“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 invaluable – whether through fundraising, encouraging volunteering, or providing a lifeline for the elderly and vulnerable to the outside world.”

The newspaper business came under increasing strain during the lockdown, with falling advertising revenue and declining circulation.

NMA chairman Henry Faure Walker has written an open article calling on the Government to help “sustain” local independent journalism with a “series of targeted initiatives.”

He also claims that internet giants like Facebook and Google have had a “free pass” to his members’ journalism and contributed “comparatively nothing” to the industry in return, despite making huge profits.