Newspaper leader calls on government to adopt the Danish support model

As the financial pressures mount on local newspapers, David Ryan, president of Local Ireland, has called on the Irish government to urgently adopt the Danish subsidy model to ensure that local newspapers such as the Westmeath Examiner can survive the catastrophic revenue declines incurred due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Local and national news publishers are the cornerstone of our democracy,” said Mr Ryan.

“During this time of crisis, it is important that our communities are served by trusted and critical media that can provide credible information and address the major challenges facing every community,” said Mr Ryan.

“The enormous loss of advertising revenue and circulation declines are unsustainable and, unless there is urgent government support forthcoming, some of our trusted news brands are in danger of closing,” he said.

Under the Danish model newspapers recording advertising revenue declines of 30% to 50% in March, April and May, year on year, will receive compensation up to the equivalent of 60% of their loss.

Compensation scales up to an equivalent of 80% of the amount for those suffering 50% to 100% loss. This compensation applies to both print and digital newspapers.

Emphasising the urgency of government intervention to assist the sector, Mr Ryan said; “Local Ireland is the representative association for 46 weekly paid for local newspapers, and its members publish 90% of the weekly paid for trusted local news across the 26 counties.

“The majority of newspapers represented have been publishing for more than 120 years and are the recognised and respected news brands in the communities they serve”.

The association has partnered with An Post to deliver a subsidised postal service for local newspapers to those who are in self-isolation, lonely and the vulnerable in our communities. Details of this initiative, which commences this week, are carried elsewhere in this edition.

While many local businesses have closed, as the crisis continues some are finding innovative ways of continue to trade. The Westmeath Examiner would like to help.

If you are such a business, or have an innovative idea, please contact the Westmeath Examiner advertising manager, Padraic Martin at padraic.martin@westmeathindependent.ie.