Lib Dems lead campaign to support local newspapers

The Liberal Democrats are leading a cross-party campaign calling on the Government to support local and independent media - a mainstay of news reporting in Haringey for generations and a sector in ever increasing financial peril - through an increased share of public health communications spending.

Writing to the government, Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael had warned that although the "All in, All together" campaign had provided public health information as well as advertising revenue for major media groups, local press organisations and individual journalists had raised the Government's lack of support for them.
 
In a letter to the Government, the cross-party campaign is calling for the Government to pledge a proportionate share of public health advertising spend to local press, meaning both a short-term boost to the Government’s public health communications as well as a long-term investment in protecting and maintaining local media across the United Kingdom.

Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael said:
 
"Local press are some of the most trusted sources of news for our communities and we must support them in this challenging time. They are vital to our efforts to respond and recover from the coronavirus and yet they are facing significant financial difficulties.

“This letter is about getting a fair share of government advertising spend for local and independent press, to reflect both their importance in our communities and their financial needs. The Secretary of State for Health has an important role in deciding where these advertising funds go.” 
 
Cllr Liz Morris, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Haringey Council, said: 
 
"Haringey is very lucky to still have a vibrant local press. Outlets such as the Ham & High, Enfield & Haringey Independent and Tottenham Community Press play a crucial role in not only keeping us all informed about the news across the borough, but they also have an important role to play in the fight against coronavirus.

"The Government must take action in pledging a proportionate share of public health advertising spend to local media. This will not only provide financial support to ensure these outlets don't go under during this crisis, but step up the public information available to the public which is imperative to delaying the spread of the virus."

Image: April 2020 edition of the Tottenham Community Press

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