The coronavirus crisis is posing a further threat for the local news industry.
The coronavirus pandemic has quickly had a major impact on the world we live in, our day to day lives and our media.
With more people at home seeking to understand the pandemic, online news and televised news programs have seen a dramatic surge in audiences engagement. However as one aspect of our media thrives, the other comes to a threat.
Many local papers were already struggling to cope as print readership has fell along with advertising revenue. Now with people now unable to leave home to buy a paper, revenue has been hit even further.
Major towns like Milton Keynes have lost their only print newspaper, for the first time in 116 years that the County Down Spectator was not published in print. As the economic impact of the coronavirus starts to destroy parts of the struggling media industry.
Notably, local papers from across the UK recently came together by publishing the same front page showing support for local communities during the pandemic.
The front pages pledged “When you’re on your own, we are there with you”.
Other papers also ran the same editorial under the banner “You have been there for us through the toughest of times. We want you to know that your newspaper will be there for you now”.
This movement has sparked the hashtag “#ThereWithYou”, with thousands coming together on social media to praise our local news.
Piers Morgan shared on social media in response “This is amazing... Dozens of Britain's biggest local newspapers have published the same front page today as a show of #Coronavirus community spirit. Bravo! #ThereWithYou”.
With local newspapers and journalists put at further risk as a result of the pandemic, what can you do? Instead of jumping straight to a big name paper when you wake up, check your local one. Although printing has stopped for a majority of local papers many now have online versions, just as this one.
Carry on showing support for the local community, everything from local papers to smaller businesses will be facing the dangerous impact of the virus and you can help to keep your community alive.
-Shania McNally, Reigate College
