A campaign spearheaded by the Society of Editors to celebrate the tremendous work of regional journalism has proved popular amongst journalists and the public alike.
The #LoveLocalMedia campaign was launched on Thursday of last week (June 18) in the run up to the Regional Press Awards.
Twitter users shared this video to mark the vital role of local media in holding politicians, councils and democracy to account.
The awards were announced on Friday and included a message of support for local journalism from Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden who said, “Particularly local and regional press have a unique role to play both in holding local politicians to account and in building a sense of community.”
To participate in the ongoing campaign to show support for regional media, tag @EditorsUK in a post and use the hashtag #LoveLocalMedia.
A compilation of the support voiced for local journalism can be seen below.
Plymouth Live news reporter Molly Dowrick’s thread on the best things about being a journalist.
One of the best things about being a journalist is that we are able to listen to local people and find out about their concerns and issues – and speak up for them if they feel forgotten about. #LoveLocalMedia
— Molly Dowrick (@MollyLDowrick) June 18, 2020
Liverpool Echo reporter Jess Molyneux shares her support: Jess was shortlisted for the Reporting Communities Award and her entry on behalf of the Echo’s Facebook Community Reporters can be read here.
It's officially been a year since I began my role as Knowsley Facebook community reporter for @LivEchonews !
Regional press is incredibly important and I am so proud to be a part of it and highlight the stories of my community #LoveLocalMedia @EditorsUK pic.twitter.com/v5UsEb8cjB
— Jess Molyneux (@JessMolECHO) June 18, 2020
The work of regional news to hold the national agenda to account shouldn’t be underestimated either.
Each day at the Downing Street press conference we see regional journalists using their expert local knowledge and skills to hold the government to account really well on behalf of their readers
Great stuff on local lockdowns today from @Geri_E_L_Scott #LoveLocalMedia
— Liam Thorp (@LiamThorpECHO) June 18, 2020
Regional Press Award winner Charles Thomson speaks up for local democracy reporting:
Reporters who know their communities are best equipped to uncover important stories within them. Their public interest journalism that can never be replaced if their papers close. Without local papers, there is no proper local democracy. #LoveLocalMedia. Support your local paper. https://t.co/xGBX4DFoms
— Charles Thomson (@CEThomson) June 19, 2020
Message of support from the PR sector, including Society sponsor Cision:
We are proud to support @EditorsUK and their campaign to #LoveLocalMedia. The quality of entries for the #RegionalPressAwards shows how vital our local papers are! 📰 Watch the ceremony here: https://t.co/N3VPHXAr79
— CisionUK (@CisionUK) June 19, 2020
Local media are vital & irreplaceable for democratic accountability & local information.
They're also still a key part of your media mix for local PR.
I support these ones every week. Go on #buyapaper !#LoveLocalMedia #PR@thecourieruk @courier_angus @FFP @StAndrewsCit @The_PA pic.twitter.com/d9caQonYia— Alan S. Morrison MBA MCIPR Accredited🖋️📸📢🥰🕸️ (@Alan_S_Morrison) June 19, 2020
Not to mention the crucial role of court reporters – from Joe Thomas here whose court coverage of the Hillsborough/ Duckenfield trial merited a highly commended nod for Feature Writer/ Long Form Journalist of the Year.
The regional press is as important now as it ever has been.
From court rooms to council chambers, local journalism is key to democracy, transparency and celebrating our communities and the people who make them so special.
Proud to support this @EditorsUK campaign #LoveLocalMedia https://t.co/bNGa5BymtF— Joe Thomas (@joe_thomas18) June 18, 2020
And regional reporting is also changing… as RADAR AI shows us.
Our first-feature length piece, from @HarrietClugston, on the plight of thousands with learning disabilities and autism stuck in hospital wards.
Regional case studies, maps, and an important story – all demonstrating our quality, localised journalism. #LoveLocalMedia https://t.co/O2DFoUMu1v
— RADAR AI (@radar_aiuk) June 18, 2020
The campaigns making a difference to communities under lockdown.
Being able to create a local campaign such as Here to Help: Not Alone pen friend initiative, and see the response grow as the whole world gets on board, is just one of the many reasons regional journalism is still so important #LoveLocalMedia @EDP24https://t.co/Z0f94Qcl89
— Donna-Louise Bishop (@donnaloubishop) June 18, 2020
And the public appreciate how local papers amplify their voices:
Many of us in the North West have felt increasingly abandoned by the government during the Covid-19 pandemic, but @LivEchonews have really stepped up to the plate, especially @LiamThorpECHO. Truthful reporting AND a boost to morale. #liverpool #merseyside #LoveLocalMedia https://t.co/MltaUJzsmj
— David L Rattigan (@davidlrattigan) June 18, 2020
As well as unheard stories:
My local paper is the independently owned and exceptional @Southwark_News No other paper like it in London and performing a real public service #LoveLocalMedia Good story today https://t.co/bo0FgWxCjD
— Roz McKenzie (@RozMcKenzie1) June 18, 2020
The job of journalists isn’t easy either…
We face abuse, insults, keyboard critics and fake news slurs, but still we serve to support democracy, gain access to information, expose crime and corruption, challenge authority, hold power to account & stand firm for our community. We're not the bad guys. #LoveLocalMedia https://t.co/tik3ofXC3f
— Denise Eaton (@deatonKM) June 18, 2020
But campaigning and making progress is hard work to be acknowledged.
Campaigning… to save the Whittington's A&E, the Prince of Wales Baths, the Kentish Town City Farm and more; and battling against the closure of fire stations and winning a living wage campaign for school dinner staff.
Sometimes using a big red bus.#LoveLocalMedia https://t.co/b56264MxLI pic.twitter.com/b2JyEy9E0Z
— Richard Osley (@RichardOsley) June 18, 2020
Happily, good journalism is rewarded. Yorkshire Post editor James Mitchinson shows as a result of the campaign, four readers have come forward to offer to pay for subscriptions for those who cannot afford them. The Yorkshire Post won Daily Newspaper of the Year at the Regional Press Awards.
Humbled & delighted in equal measure at the four people who have just offered to pay for a print subscription to The Yorkshire Post for someone who cannot afford it, but would dearly like one. Felt I should share with you this, from this year's @EditorsUK entry #MesQueUnNewspaper pic.twitter.com/EMfv9uYnTw
— James Mitchinson (@JayMitchinson) June 18, 2020
Continue the conversation by sharing the Society’s #LoveLocalMedia video today.
What do you love about your local paper?
Approaching the #RegionalPressAwards tomorrow, the Society of Editors invites you to join our #LoveLocalMedia campaign.
Use the hashtag today to share a post showing your support of the vital role of regional journalism! pic.twitter.com/QMlP0Nypgj
— Society of Editors UK (@EditorsUK) June 18, 2020