Government Minister calls for support for publishing industry which is 'providing a vital public service'

Government turned to our local newspapers to reinforce the vitally important message to stay at home to protect the NHS and to save lives.

A Government Minister is calling on people to buy a newspaper and asking on the nation’s biggest brands to end ‘ad-blocking’ as the coronavirus outbreak hits the publishing industry.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has asked the public to "add one small thing" to their to-do list and buy a newspaper as the press grapples "with the biggest existential crisis in its history".

The newspaper business has come under increasing strain amid the coronavirus pandemic, while those working in the industry have shown a ‘dogged determination’ to provide ‘a vital public service’.

Mr Dowden has also written to the 100 biggest brands in the UK brands asking them to end "ad-blocking" on online news articles about the pandemic and allow their adverts to appear next to coronavirus news stories.

In the letter he describes quality UK news publishers as the “fourth emergency service”, providing information to the public at a time of national crisis, and warns that block-listing is already having a detrimental impact.

Writing in The Times, he said: "Despite the massive disruption the coronavirus lockdown is causing to the production and distribution of news, those working in the industry have shown a dogged determination to keep the show on the road.

"Right now the news industry is doing a vital public service by giving important information to people as the pandemic unfolds."

He added: "As the country fights our greatest national emergency since the Second World War the press is grappling with arguably the biggest existential crisis in its history.

"National, regional and local newspapers are under huge financial pressure, largely because of plummeting commercial advertising on their printed pages and websites.

"Falling demand for advertising has also been exacerbated by something called keyword blocking, where advertising linked to specific keywords is prevented from being served on papers' web pages. Some major UK brands and parts of the advertising industry are blocking adverts appearing next to coronavirus-related news stories."

Mr Dowden said an irreversible decline in news publishing would have "far-reaching implications for democracy in our country", adding: "So today I am asking companies and the advertising industry to act and do all they can to resolve this issue.

"I have written to the 100 biggest brands in the UK to urge them to review their advertising policies and check they are not inappropriately blocking adverts from appearing next to news providing a vital public service.

"Newspapers are at heart of the British media and essential to its vibrant mix. People across the country are rising to the coronavirus challenge and I suggest we all add one small thing to our to-do list: buy a paper."

It comes after the Government turned to our local newspapers on Friday to reinforce the vitally important message to stay at home to protect the NHS and to save lives.

We will be carrying these messages over the coming weeks as we know how keen you are to ensure the lockdown is effective as possible.

We continue to be warmed by your stories of courage, creativity and selflessness. Do keep letting us know about the every-day heroes in our communities.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.