PUBLIC HEALTH ADVERTISING | The campaign announced by the government needs to include independent and community news publications in the UK #saveindependentnews @ICNNUK

30+ industry leaders have added their name to an open letter to @JWhittingdale (see thread)

Independent and community news publications in the UK reach 14.9 million unique website visitors every month; and circulate 427,000 printed copies.

Many of them are going beyond traditional journalism in their response to the #covid19 crisis.

#saveindependentnews

Independent news providers are providing direct support to vulnerable citizens; organising and promoting online events; coordinating volunteering; and working with local businesses to provide online information about home deliveries during #covid19

#saveindependentnews

Independent news providers include a wide range of local, hyperlocal and regional newspapers and websites, alongside non-profit investigative journalism organisations and publications that are aimed at BAME groups or communities of interest #saveindependentnews

By excluding independent publications from the public health advertising campaign, the Government is in fact failing to provide essential information to the readers of those publications, and failing to support cherished institutions #saveindependentnews

MPs across the UK are also showing support for independent publishers: https://www.saveindependentnews.org.uk/quotes-from-mps 

Visit http://www.saveindependentnews.org.uk  for more information.

cc: Frances Cairncross, Michelle Stanistreet @NUJofficial @bureaulocal @Megan_Lucero @EmmaMeese @ICNNUK @EJNetwork @Jo_Adetunji @MaryFitzger @iroughol @community_media @LoCoMeNetwork