Local independent news providers like West Leeds Dispatch are among the most trusted source of news in the media.
However, more than 95 per cent of them have received zero support from the Government since the start of the lockdown.
While £35m has been allocated to the ‘newspaper industry’ in order to save lives by providing essential information to the public, and support the press, this money is not reaching the local independent news sector.
We are backing the Independent Community News Network‘s (ICNN) campaign calling on the Government to create a bespoke funding agreement to support local independent news providers.
The ask is direct and bold, but deliberately unclear. The purpose is to flood inboxes and pressure ministers to review the existing policy. ICNN’s ultimate aim is to negotiate a not insignificant portion of the current £35m subsidy made available to the ‘newspaper industry’.
If you value your West Leeds Dispatch and rely on it for accurate, essential, and up-to-date information about the Coronavirus pandemic, fill in your postcode below to write to your MP now.