MP joins cross-party campaign to support local press

 

After writing to the Secretary of State recently to support the Barking and Dagenham Post and Romford Recorder Jon Cruddas MP has now joined a wider campaign, asking that government support local and independent media through an increased share of public health communications spending. 

The letter has been backed by 40 other MPs from across Parliament, including former Cabinet ministers and shadow ministers, and highlights the importance of local press in communicating trustworthy information and the financial strain faced by local journalists in light of the coronavirus.

Support for Local Media Announced

 

On 31st March Jon Cruddas MP contacted the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport regarding the support structures for local news outlets during the Covid-19 crisis.

Jon said: “at this time, how we receive news and information is incredibly important. When I contacted the Secretary of State there was very little infrastructure in place to support freelance journalists or small news outlets.”

Jon Cruddas MP - April Romford Recorder Column

You may have seen my column in February calling out Romford MP Andrew Rosindell for sharing appalling right wing material on social media in an assault on London Mayor Sadiq Khan. The Tories in the Town Hall are following in their MP’s footsteps, and are being called out by the national media, and MPs from their own party.