Royal praise for regional news media
Hosting a reception at Buckingham Palace for about 400 journalists and industry leaders, to celebrate the work of the regional news media, King Charles paid tribute to the sector’s “unique and vital role.”
In a statement praising the work of the industry and acknowledging the impact of changes in the media landscape the King said: “I have long believed that regional media, in all its forms, has a unique and vital role to play in society, perhaps even more so in these uncertain times.
“Your reporting, and the work of all those who support you, helps amplify and reaffirm the rights and responsibilities we all share. It shines a light in dark corners, exposing injustice and wrongdoing. Above all, it helps strengthen our communities, in times of joy and at moments of sorrow. You won’t always get it right. A free media is one that will and does make mistakes. But at its best, it is a cornerstone of our democracy.
“I know how commercial pressures and changing technologies have had a significant impact on your industry. But as the media landscape has changed, so too many of you have adapted and innovated, finding ways of sharing your journalism and engaging audiences in new and creative ways. It is in everyone’s interests that you should succeed. For without a thriving and financially robust regional media, we would all be the poorer.”
Meanwhile, Sir Lindsay Hoyle (pictured), the House of Commons Speaker, has bemoaned the decline of regional press representation at Westminster. When he entered the Commons as an MP in 1997 most of the big regional dailies had their own correspondents - in fact, the Express & Star had two. Today, The Yorkshire Post is believed to be the only English regional title which retains its own dedicated parliamentary reporter. Addressing a Society of Editors conference, Sir Lindsay said: “I know I am speaking to you at a difficult time for the media industry. We have all seen local newspapers shrink or shutdown, with reporters and photographers losing their jobs or their numbers, cut back.
“Many local titles have left the high street. It’s the same in the Press Gallery. When I was first elected to Parliament in 1997, the place was teaming with regional lobby correspondents. Not so anymore.
“Well-established national newspapers have ‘streamlined’; increased the use of AI; brought in more online reporters; paid off editors – and seen experienced journalists leave the profession for roles in PR.
“Without them, who will be there to counter the rise of fake news in social media?
“We have all seen the damage that can be done to families when so-called ‘armchair journalists’ get hold of rumours and inuendo – and turn them into fact.
Sir Lindsay, who has been criticised in the national press recently for running up expenses in the region of £250,000 on 19 foreign trips since October 2022, concluded his address by vowing to defend the rights of the press to hold power to account. “In my opinion, we are beyond lucky to have a free press, even if we politicians are sometimes at the sharp end of it. I will forever defend your right to free speech and to do what you do,” he added.
Photo: PA
