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<p><del class="ministerial">I met with the Independent Community News Network and
the Public Interest News Foundation on 6 May to discuss Government support for the
independent news publishing sector in light of the impacts of Covid-19. This meeting
included a discussion on the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak on the independent news
media sector, the Government's public information awareness campaign, and the ways
in which the independent sector may be used to reach underserved audiences. I continue
to engage with them via regular biweekly press sector meetings</del></p><p> </p><p><del
class="ministerial">All titles utilised in the public health campaign have been selected
by the Government's media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV. As with any media planning
approach, titles are selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national,
regional and local level and to ensure value for money, reach and targeting efficacy.
The current partnership brings together over 600 national, regional and local titles
across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to reach 49 million people a
month. The vast majority of titles are local papers and additional titles have been
selected in order to further reach priority audiences including BAME and older men.</del></p><p>
</p><p><ins class="ministerial">The government recognises the vital role of independent
newspapers in supporting communities by ensuring the provision of reliable, high-quality
information throughout the current pandemic. Safeguarding the UK’s news media so that
they are able to continue to provide this is a key priority for the government and
we are in regular dialogue with a range of stakeholders, including publishers, the
Independent Community News Network and the Public Interest News Foundation to ensure
that our response to the challenges they are facing is as effective and wide reaching
as it can be. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The government will continue to
consider all possible options in the interests of promoting and sustaining high-quality
news journalism. Never have the activities of journalists been more popular and critical;
providing quality news to all, including those self-isolating, and binding communities
together, a fundamental function of our modern day democracy.</ins></p><p> </p>
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