Journalism Matters: Starmer Says Government Will Work To Support Journalism ‘Day In Day Out’

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given his backing to the News Media Association’s Journalism Matters campaign saying that journalism is “absolutely vital” while pledging to work with the local news sector to protect local journalism.

In a comment supporting the campaign today, the Prime Minister pledged his support for local news, saying: “It is said all news is local.  It must remain so. That is why this government will always defend it, work with you and support what you do day in day out.”

Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch has also come out in support of Journalism Matters, saying that the Conservative Party will “always defend” journalism.

In a piece, she said:“Right now, good journalism is in peril. People have got used to reading stories for free on the internet, and free doesn’t pay for the sort of investigations and editorial that keeps our state in check.”

In a third show of support for the campaign today, Lisa Nandy highlighted NMA-commissioned research which found that trust in local news is rising. “That is proof of just how much this industry matters,” the Culture Secretary said.  

Journalism Matters launched on Monday with a Parliamentary event at which keynote speaker Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief of The Guardian, called for some “healthy, human scepticism” from government about the promise of AI-driven growth at the expense of the creative industries.  

The first video featuring The Times investigative reporter George Greenwood in a series of interviews with leading journalists talking about their work went live.

The Making a Difference vote for the best local and national campaigns of the past year will run until 5pm tomorrow (Thursday).