Mass Media: Coronavirus

(asked on 25th March 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Independent Community News Network on (a) the viability of and (b) Government support for independent local media during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
John Whittingdale Portrait
John Whittingdale
This question was answered on 21st April 2020

The need for independent, verifiable news and information is more important than ever, given the current crisis caused by the outbreak of Covid-19. The news publishing sector’s sustainability and the continued provision of reliable, high-quality information is therefore a priority for the Government. Ministers in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are actively engaging with stakeholders across the media industry, including local and independent news publishing outlets, to understand the challenges posed by the current crisis and to establish the most effective means of supporting the whole of the industry.


Several measures have already been put in place as part of an unprecedented package of support. The Business Interruption Loan, designed for small and medium enterprises, could be helpful to local news publishers. Additionally, the Government is supporting business through the Job Retention Scheme, VAT and tax deferrals, and through covering the cost of statutory sick pay. We are committed to ensuring that firms whose business models were viable before this crisis remain viable once it is over.

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