Archant editor Powles campaigns to highlight why journalism matters

David Powles, editor of Archant, Eastern Daily Press and Evening News sent out the following excerpt note:

Journalism Matters.

That’s the title of an annual campaign that kicks off again this week; a chance for the news media industry to shout about the good work we do for our regions and for our society as a whole.

Never before have those two words held as much resonance as they do in 2020. Journalism matters more than ever in a pandemic, when there is a pressing need for accurate local information from trusted sources rather than the wild speculation on social media. Journalism matters more than ever in lockdown, when those excluded from digital news by age, by social status or by choice, rely on the regular arrival of their paper to keep in touch with their community and the world outside.

During these challenging last few months, my team and I have felt keenly our responsibility to keep you informed, to keep readers connected and to keep supporting the businesses that serve our regions.

So we provided verified news, data and explainers on the Covid-19 outbreak in whatever forms you wanted it – in print, on our websites, via our social media channels and newsletters. We highlighted the amazing work being done by local residents and we called out national and local authorities, when we were justified in saying that their response was not good enough.

We offered free delivery for our newspapers to help vulnerable readers and gave free publicity to the local firms who innovated in order to survive. We were there with you and you were there with us in huge numbers, supporting us by buying papers and visiting our websites just as we supported you. Thank you.

Powles will also be discussing Journalism Matters, the future of the news media industry and what it takes to edit in a digital, post-pandemic age in a special live Q&A hosted by the BBC’s Chris Goreham at 3pm on Thursday, October 8.

The full note can be read here.