Journalism Matters: Queen praises the work of newspapers in pandemic

Journalism Matters runs from today until October 11.

Ahead of the launch The Queen sent a message of support.

She wrote: “The Covid-19 pandemic has once again demonstrated what an important public service the established news media provides, both nationally and regionally.

“As our 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 has been invaluable - whether through fundraising, encouraging volunteering or providing a lifeline for the elderly and vulnerable to the outside world.”

Henry Faure Walker, chairman of News Media Association, said the week celebrates the importance of journalism in our society.

He said: “We have reported on every twist and turn of the local and national lockdowns and kept you up to date with vital public health information.

“We have held power to account and robustly challenged the decision-makers on your behalf.

“Sometimes, our role has been to seek clarity amid confusion from the authorities, and toxic misinformation about coronavirus spread by bad actors on social media.

“Providing the public with trusted and accurate information is at the heart of what we do.

“But our role goes much further than that.

“At the start of the pandemic, the industry came together to tell readers we are #therewithyou, with nearly every daily regional title in the country running the same front page on the same day.

“And we haven’t looked back since.

“But journalism itself has not been immune to the challenges of the pandemic.

“At the local level, many news brands are in a perilous position.

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

To find out more visit journalismmatters.co.