Fianna Fáíl Spokesperson on Communications, Jack Chambers has called on the government to introduce a series of new measures to support print journalism.
Deputy Chambers has written to both the Minister for Communications and Minister for Business on the need to introduce a forum through the BAI to provide guidance during this crisis and to develop direct financial supports.
Deputy Chambers said: “It is deeply concerning that we have yet to see an announcement on a targeted approach to keeping our papers publishing during the pandemic. At a time when the transmission of public health information and quality publish service journalism has never been more important, advertising revenues for some papers have more than halved. Government support must be provided, and a joined-up approach established.
“Ireland is now an outlier amongst our EU peers in failing to provide a joined-up response to the crisis in the sector. For example, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden have all announced supports amounting to €18.5 million or more.
“While additional advertising has been provided, there appears to be no overarching approach designed to support those publications most at risk of closure and job losses.
“An Post’s newspaper delivery service is an excellent initiative, but some free papers may not be able to access it in the same way as other papers. Specific issues for the sector during the crisis including supply lines could also be addressed through this forum.
“At the time of the BAI’s establishment, print media did not need financial support in order to survive. As a result, many of the mechanisms which are available to journalists through other mediums don’t apply. This needs to be addressed through the establishment of a print media unit to coordinate the government response and to maintain local media during this period,” concluded Deputy Chambers.
