Communities Secretary Urges Public To Buy Newspapers

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has urged the public to buy newspapers to stay informed about the fightback against coronavirus and help support the industry as it deals with the challenges posed by the outbreak.

Giving the Government’s daily press briefing yesterday Mr Jenrick said that the news media industry was doing a vital job in keeping the public informed but that the industry was facing “significant financial pressure.”

He said: “As Communities Secretary, I would like to take this opportunity to give an update on the work being done locally during the pandemic to keep people safe, to provide support for people’s jobs and their businesses, and to prepare for the reopening and the recovery of our local economies.

“That’s why its appropriate that this afternoon we are joined by regional journalists who are doing so much to keep people informed about how the national effort is being coordinated in our own communities.

“A free country needs a free press and the national, the regional, and the local newspapers of our country are under significant financial pressure.

“I would like to echo the words of the Culture Secretary recently in encouraging everyone who can to buy a newspaper.”

Last month, Oliver Dowden urged the public to buy newspapers which are providing a “vital public service” by providing the public with access to trusted and accurate information during the coronavirus outbreak.