Support needed for local and regional newspapers

Senior TDs have called for positive action from the government to support local and regional newspaper during this difficult period.

It follows a decision by the Celtic Media Group to lay off workers on a temporary basis - as the Covid-19 crisis hits advertising and sales of local newspapers.

Celtic Media Group will continue to publish its five weekly cover price titles both in print and online in the face of collapsing revenues due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Leading industry figures have warned of the potential closure of other titles around the country unless urgent state support is given immediately to the news publishing industry.

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has urged the government to help struggling local newspapers through advert buys, and urged the public to support their local and national titles by buying a copy.

Deputy Howlin added: “The Government should look at supports such as extensive advertising in local papers and radio to get the key messages out. This would be an important way to support advertising revenue sustaining people in jobs while also providing the public with essential news. Similiar supports may also be needed for independent national broadcasters and newspapers if this is an extended crisis.

“I would also call on the public to support their local and national newspapers by buying a copy when they can. We all need to be reading reliable information sources.

“There are also great community efforts underway to support elderly people and those at risk in self isolation with deliveries to their homes. Adding a copy of your local paper to those supplies is another way to boost their sales.

“The economic consequences of the coronavirus will impact numerous sectors in our society and when problems are identified we must move quickly to provide support and assistance.”

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, David Cullinane TD, has echoed this appeal and would also like to see government departments take out advertising in local papers to both disseminate important information to the public while in turn providing financial support to local newspapers.

Deputy Cullinane said: “Over the last few days I have engaged directly and constructively with Minister Richard Bruton on solutions needed to support local print and broadcasting media. I welcome the temporary waiver of the Broadcast Levy and I have called for greater flexibility in releasing funds under the Sound and Vision Scheme.

“Equally, local print media needs urgent support. A crash in advertising revenue is having a devastating impact and is threatening the viability of local and trusted newspapers.

“I have asked Minister Bruton to establish a fund to be used by government Departments to advertise important information and updates on measures to combat Covid-19 in local papers. These can relate to health, employment rights, employer obligations and other general advice to the public.

“This would fulfil a number of purposes - to help disseminate accurate information to the public through reliable and trusted local publications, while also providing much needed revenue for local newspapers.

“This is a serious and precarious situation for all sectors of the economy. We must do all we can to protect the vital services that local broadcast and print media provide.”

In a joint letter going to Oireachtas members, Garry Cotter, Editor of the Nenagh Guardian, as well as other local newspaper editors and Johnny O'Hanlon, Director of Local Ireland, urged immediate State support for the local newspaper titles.
"Some publishers fear their ability to survive beyond the next few months without immediate government support," the letter states.
"We cannot overstate the scale of the crisis facing the news publishing industry in the coming weeks and we are asking the State to ensure we can continue to fulfil our public service role in society.

Nenagh Guardian Editor Garry Cotter added:  "The Nenagh Guardian has served the people of the area for almost 183 years, covering everything from news and sports to local notes and community fundraisers. We now hope our communities will respond in kind and support us through this difficult time."

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