Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Local and Regional News Organisations

Monday 27 April 2020 · 1 question

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mohammad Yasin questioned the Secretary of State about the importance of independent publishers during the Covid-19 crisis.
  • The Secretary of State agreed that independent community news providers are vital and are currently covered under an existing advertising deal.
  • Discussions are ongoing with the ICNN to explore additional measures that could support local independent press.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mohammad Yasin Lab Westminster
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Government has provided financial support to all businesses but has specifically targeted news publishers. Independent publishers such as the Bedford Independent have not been included in an advertising deal.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that independent publishers are providing a vital service and will he meet with the ICNN to agree on an advertising deal for local independent press?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport John Whittingdale

Agrees that independent community news sector is important; current advertising deal covers 600 national, regional and local titles reaching 49 million people; in touch with ICNN to see what other measures could be put in place for further support.

Answered
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