Local newspapers should receive specific Covid-19 supports – TD

Deputy Marian Harkin, Independent T.D for Sligo/Leitrim/North Roscommon/South Donegal, has asked Minister Catherine Martin if she would put in place, even at this late stage, Covid specific supports for the local print media sector.

Deputy Harkin, in her intervention, welcomed the supports that had been given to the local radio sector, which were badly needed, and which had made a real difference.

However, she questioned Minister Martin, as to why she and her department had not put in place a similar Covid support scheme for local print media, many of whom, she stated, were hanging on by their fingernails.

Minister Martin, in her response, spoke of the value of the local print media and the essential role it plays in ensuring quality and impartial information to their local communities.

In the context of specific supports to local print media, she spoke of avoiding the perception of any undue government interference or influence and, because of this, the funding of newspapers was a complex issue.

This statement was challenged by Deputy Harkin, who said that nobody had accused government of trying to interfere or influence when they rightly supported local radio and the Minister’s statement was an ‘excuse and not a reason’.

She said: “Minister, I’m sure it’s not beyond the bounds of your department to find an arm’s length scheme or way to support local newspapers to help ensure their sustainable future”.

Minister Martin also insisted that there was a specific mechanism whereby they could support local radio.

Deputy Harkin had no disagreement with this, however, she stated that during Covid finding schemes that were unthinkable two years ago are now in place.

“Unprecedented supports for businesses for whole sectors, for individuals, have been put in place and this has been absolutely necessary to help prevent economic and societal collapse.

"Local newspapers are an essential part of how our communities, local and regional, operate and they too, should receive specific Covid supports.

"There is something essentially unfair in supporting certain local media sectors and not others, Minister Martin needs to look at this again," Deputy Harkin concluded.