The ability of the news publishing industry to perform its crucial democratic role is challenged by the structural forces that constitute an existential threat to the industry, in particular the decline in print circulation and advertising revenue and the increasing power of digital platforms.

While news publishers are fully committed to the digital transition, the digital news ecosystem rewards the distribution of content by platforms vastly more than its creation by publishers. Against this backdrop, it is important that public policy supports the viability of the sector, both in print and online.

Local Ireland, the association representing 32 paid-for weekly newspapers around the country, has welcomed today’s publication of the long-awaited Future of Media Commission Report. President of Local Ireland Declan McGuire said:…