The fight for local journalism and the events uniting communities and newsrooms this week: Campaign and Comms Manager Beckie Shuker brings you the latest on Indie News Week 2026
The third annual Indie News Week is upon us! From Monday 15th to Sunday 21st June (and beyond!) indie journalists up and down the UK are opening up their newsrooms, hosting film screenings, panels, workshops and more!
Indie News Week is a national week of action celebrating everything that makes indie news essential and a chance for communities to get to know the journalists who serve them.
This week, we're looking ahead to next week - independent journalists across the UK are opening their doors and you're invited.
Scroll down to find an event near you!
Our mission is to connect communities with their news providers, generate crucial funds, and raise awareness of the essential work journalists are doing across the country every single day.
Independent news strengthens democracy, holds power to account, creates pride in place and increases civic participation. But right now, it is under threat.
Big Tech greed and corporate takeovers are strangling local news. Misinformation is on the rise. In the hardest-hit areas, disinformation is stoking tension and disorder. And over 4 million Brits are living in news deserts – areas entirely without quality local journalism.
People need reliable information and shared understandings to participate meaningfully in their communities. They need news providers that live and work alongside them, speak truth to power, celebrate local heroes and shine a light on the issues that matter.
No news is bad news. Something needs to change.
That’s why we are banging the drum for indie news. Over the next week there is something happening across all four nations of the UK, and we would love for you to get involved. Here’s a taste of what is coming up:
Tomorrow (Friday 12th), the Isle of Wight kicks things off early with a local leaders’ debate featuring two local MPs, the Leader for the Council, the CEO of Visit Isle of Wight, the CEO of Red Funnel and Council service director making his first public appearance - a few tickets are still remaining but be quick, the event sold out last year!
Monday 15th opens with a meet-up with The Bridge in Berwick-upon-Tweed at Dean's Deli, followed by a Meet the Editor session with the Enfield Dispatch from 12–2pm, an evening panel with Salamander News and the Greenwich Wire on why indie news is essential to democracy, and an ideas session from Bro360 on launching a new hyperlocal website in Pen Llŷn at 7.30pm.
On Tuesday 16th, meet the team behind Wokingham Today and Reading Today from 10am, fine tune your story telling at the New Forest Dispatch’s Story Clinic (on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, space available from 2pm), or head to Govanhill’s Community Newsroom in Glasgow for Freedom of Information Club with the Ferret at 6.30pm.
Wednesday 17th June features an Art of Storytelling workshop from Network Norfolk at 10am, the launch of Southeast Wales's first hyperlocal Welsh-language website in Treorchy at 5.30pm, a News Café drop-in hosted by The Northern Eco at The Artists' Hub in Bishop Auckland, and an online panel from Bylines Network at 7pm – News Deserts, AI and Democracy: What's Next for Independent Journalism? – featuring PINF's own Jonathan Heawood.
Thursday 18th June sees the West Leeds Dispatch team hosting a meet-up at Proper Bike Shop from 10am, the week’s second Freedom of Information workshop from the Leicester Gazette at 6.30pm, and a film screening of Migrant Women Seen & Heard, hosted by VIEWDigital and Newry.ie at The Bookshelf in Newry at 7pm.
Rounding off the week on Friday 19th June, Local Authority in Kent are hosting an open newsroom and panel discussion in Chatham from 10am.
Looking ahead over the next few weeks, QueerAF will be hosting a live podcast discussion and Q&A on How to navigate the LGBTQIA+ news and use it to fight back - date to be confirmed - and Hi Hub will be holding a Local News Quiz.
I’ll be off on a road trip around the country next week hitting up as many events as I can - look out for next week’s roadshow blog!
Whether you attend an event, spread the word or make a donation, every bit of support makes a real difference to the indie news publishers fighting to keep local news alive. Check out our map to find the nearest event to you.
Indie News Week 2026
Events across the UKWritten by
