West Leeds Dispatch joined local media outlets from across the UK at a special reception hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday evening.
Editor and co-founder John Baron was a guest at a reception recognising the important democratic role local media plays in society.
WLDÂ joined around 20 independent publishers who were invited to rub shoulders with more than 350 industry leaders and media celebrities.
The reception was held in the main ballroom at Buckingham Palace, where the King, Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester mingled with guests.
The reception comes as WLD this year celebrates its tenth birthday, publishing more than 11,700 articles during that time.
The King did not speak at the event, but in a statement he praised regional media for helping to “strengthen our communities, in times of joy and at moments of sorrow”.
He 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.
“As I said in a speech to mark the tercentenary of Britain’s first daily national newspaper, back in 2002, the Press, alongside other long-standing institutions, is at the forefront of ‘defining, describing and celebrating the more profound values of our nation’.
“Two decades on, when too much focus is given to that which divides us, that role for your whole industry is more important than ever – and it starts from the ground-up, at local level, in your hands.
“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.”
The King did acknowledge that journalists “won’t always get it right,” noting that “a free media is one that will and does make mistakes.” But he that “the industry at its best is a cornerstone of our democracy”.
“I know how commercial pressures and changing technologies have had a significant impact on your industry,” The King added. “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.”
WLD editor John Baron said: “It was an honour to be invited to Buckingham Place last night as a guest of the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) and a testament to the hard work of our volunteer-led board and community reporters over the past decade.”
Fifteen members of the Independent Community News Network (ICNN), of which WLD is a founder member, also attended.
WLD in Parliament
On Tuesday, John was in Parliament to back calls for Government action to save local news.
PINF launched the Local News Commission’s report Regenerating Local News in the UK, which argues a bold plan is needed to support local publishers who are fighting to survive.
It calls for a Local News Stimulation Fund to transform the future of local journalism and, with it, the fates of communities who desperately need resilience against false narratives and collapsing news business models.
Other key recommendations include increased regulatory pressure on big tech, tax incentives to support local news, a new workforce strategy and new relationships with both local councils and the BBC.
More details can be found here.
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