The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the important of the news media, the Queen has said.

In a letter of support ahead of the launch of Journalism Matters week today (5-11 October), Her Majesty said that trusted news and information remained vital.

She said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has once again demonstrated what an important public service the established news media provides, both nationally and regionally. As our world has changed dramatically, having trusted, reliable sources of information, particularly at a time when there are so many sources competing for our attention, is vital.

“The efforts of the news media to support communities throughout the United Kingdom during the pandemic have been invaluable – whether through fundraising, encouraging volunteering, or providing a lifeline for the elderly and vulnerable to the outside world.”

Organised by the News Media Association, Journalism Matters week looks to celebrate the vital role journalism plays in our society. Titles across the country will be participating in the campaign across the week and the NMA will be announcing the winner of the national and local Making a Difference awards – recognising campaigns that took place in 2019. The entries for both awards are made up of the Campaign of the Year entries in the Society of Editors’ National and Regional Press Awards. Voting is now open until Wednesday and all the entries can be viewed online here.

The Society of Editors is supporting Journalism Matters Week and we have been speaking to our members in national, regional, local and broadcast journalism about what journalism means to them and why it matters. Follow us at EditorsUK to hear across the course of the week what they had to say.