Local newspapers need our support. They are a vital source of news and information in our communities.
Newspaper revenues have already been under threat from a dwindling advertising market and competition from digital publishers.
Now with the COVID-19 virus and increased economic pressures, our newspapers need our support more than ever.
We rely on our local journalists as a source of trusted news and information as opposed to the misinformation that can be perpetrated elsewhere. This has never been more evident than during the current crisis.
Economic pressures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have already led journalists being laid off at Celtic Media, while freelance journalists have experienced a loss of income.
For those reasons and more, both the Government and the readers should be mindful of the need to support their local journalists by recognising their valuable contribution to our communities and our democracy and to continue to support them in our shops and online.