King Charles recognises the importance of robust journalism as ‘the cornerstone of our democracy’. He said: ‘It is in everyone’s interests that you should succeed’
Hold the front page: King Charles with some of the media guests at this week’s Buckingham Palace reception
Hundreds of figures from regional media, including the Independent Community News Network, of which Inside Croydon is a founder member, attended a Buckingham Palace reception this week, where King Charles lauded the work of local media as it “shines a light in dark corners, exposing injustice and wrongdoing”.
Among those attending was Darryl Chamberlain, our colleague from the Greenwich Wire, and an occasional guest panelist for our Croydon Insider podcast.
In his message to those who work in the industry, King Charles 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.
“You won’t always get it right. A free media is one that will and does make mistakes. But at its best, it is a cornerstone of our democracy.
“I know how commercial pressures and changing technologies have had a significant impact on your industry. 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.”
Big day out: the ICNN delegation at the Palace, including the Greenwich Wire’s Darryl Chamberlain (second from right)
The event was attended by Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, whose department has been criticised for failing to devise a revised formula for statutory advertising, including such things as planning notices, paid for out of public funds by local councils, such as Croydon, but placed with legacy titles which often have diminished circulation.
Emma Meese, the Director of Community Journalism at Cardiff University, where ICNN is based, said: “It was an honour to meet King Charles. His words about the importance of local independent media struck a chord with the aims of ICNN.
“ICNN is in the top five largest news publishers in the UK, so it’s vital that our members are given a voice and a platform at events like this. The work ICNN members do is vital to communities and democracy in towns and cities across the UK.”
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