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Support your local newspaper

  • by JW

“Whatever happens, we will be there for you.”

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Local newspapers provide an excellent service, letting us know what local resources we can tap into or top up:

Help at hand – and help needed

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The Herald has made an appeal to its readers for support during these difficult times:

Why we’re asking for your support to build a sustainable future for the Sidmouth Herald | sidmouthherald.co.uk

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And it’s a problem nationally:

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UK towns lose local newspapers as impact of coronavirus deepens

Many self-isolating older people left without trusted news source as presses stop rolling

The government has made clear that it considers reporters and print newspaper distribution staff as key workers during the crisis, due to the importance of getting accurate information to people’s homes. Last week many of the same newspapers ran front pages pledging to support their communities during the pandemic and provide accurate information, but the financial and logistical challenges have become too much.

UK towns lose local newspapers as impact of coronavirus deepens | theguardian.com

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Coronavirus shows we need local papers – but it could kill them off

There are signs of hope amid the dire warnings for local newspapers, however. It seems almost trite to say that the world needs good journalism more than ever now but people also urgently need verified information in the face of not only an unprecedented health emergency, but technology’s ability to spread fake news. What’s more, the social distancing measure being brought in to fight coronavirus makes localism and local news even more important, whether that’s which neighbour needs help today or how to save local institutions.

On Friday, more than 60 regional press titles in the UK published identical front pages with headlines which promised common cause with their local communities. They declared: “We know that for you, having a constant feed of reliable news and information that you trust is vital, and this is our commitment to you: whatever happens, we will be there for you.”

Coronavirus shows we need local papers – but it could kill them off | theguardian.com

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