Culture minister Oliver Dowden urges you to support the news-stands and pick up a paper

While everyone’s lives have been turned upside down since the breakout of Covid-19 in the UK, culture minister Oliver Dowden, is asking you to remember to support your local newspaper.
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Newspapers, including the Derbyshire Times, Mansfield Chad and Buxton Advertiser, have seen advert bookings hit during the lockdown.

And, Mr Dowden has also pointed out that some publishers are on the brink of collapse as he urges the public to add “one small thing” to their to do list and buy a paper.

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“Newspapers are at heart of the British media and essential to its vibrant mix,” Mr Dowden wrote in an article on the Times website.

Culture minister Oliver Dowden, is asking you to remember to support your local newspaper.Culture minister Oliver Dowden, is asking you to remember to support your local newspaper.
Culture minister Oliver Dowden, is asking you to remember to support your local newspaper.

People across the country are rising to the coronavirus challenge and I suggest we all add one small thing to our to-do list: buy a paper.

“National, regional and local newspapers are under huge financial pressure, largely because of plummeting commercial advertising on their printed pages and websites.

“As the country fights our greatest national emergency since the Second World War the Press is grappling with arguably the biggest existential crisis in its history.”

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To help readers get their hands on the latest editions of our paper, we are offering home deliveries for no extra cost for six weeks.

Email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4030066 for details of a participating newsagent near you.

Nancy Fielder, our editor, said: “In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

“With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

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“Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

“Stay safe, and best wishes.”