Pressure is growing on Communications Minister Richard Bruton to urgently support the local newspaper and radio industries.
A number of TDs, including Roscommon/Galway Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice, have called on Minister Bruton to put in place measures to ensure that the independent radio sector and local and regional newspapers can be supported during the COVID-19 crisis.
Independent TDs Michael Fitzmaurice, Michael McNamara and Marian Harkin said there is an urgent and immediate threat to the survival of these industries.
In a statement, they said: “Unless urgent action is taken by the Government, it is inevitable at this time of national crisis – as advertising revenues collapse – that hundreds of jobs will be lost in the independent radio sector. This will inevitably lead to the closure of many independent radio stations.
“The independent radio sector is an extremely important and powerful tool for providing news, current affairs and public information, particularly in the context of local happenings and circumstances.
“Many of the listeners have a huge loyalty to their local station and if those stations were to cease broadcasting people would be bereft…this would add hugely to the isolation that many people already feel due to the current public health crisis”.
Continuing, the independent TDs indicated that consideration must also be shown for local and regional newspapers who have also felt the huge negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
“The national Government, local Government and the HSE need to spread out their advertising budgets across these regional and local newspapers, as well as the national media outlets. Newspapers have seen their revenue from advertising dip drastically as a result of this virus outbreak.
“These regional and local newspapers provide a valuable public service to people in their catchment areas, as well as a source of employment for many” the TDs concluded.
Independent Roscommon/Galway TD Denis Naughten added his support on Twitter:
Sad to hear reports this evening of more local job losses as a result of #coronavirus in local newspapers. With so many older people cocooned & many many more who will have to self isolate, they need this vital source of local news. – @DenisNaughten (Twitter)
