The Independent Publishers Taskforce
The Independent Publishers Taskforce was established by IMPRESS in April 2019 in order to explore the challenges and opportunities that affect independent publishers in providing public interest news. Through a series of workshops, which also included other relevant industry stakeholders*, the Taskforce consider questions such as:
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How can the Cairncross recommendations be implemented whilst protecting the freedom of the press?
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How can subsidies be directed towards publications that are committed to high standards of journalism?
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What kinds of support do small and start-up news publications need in order to thrive in the digital era?
The Taskforce was created to explore the challenges and opportunities that affect independent publishers in providing public interest news.
Funded by the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust (JRRT), the IPT project shed light on the key issues facing independent publishers producing high-quality, public interest news today, such as lack of funding and resources, domination of the news market by large conglomerates and a lack of media literacy amongst the public.
In November 2019, the Taskforce published ‘Supporting Public Interest News: A Blueprint’, which condenses its analysis and proposals. In this document, the Taskforce proposed the creation of a new charity – the Public Interest News Foundation – in order to improve public understanding of public interest news, and enhance the capacity of the independent publishing sector to provide it.
The vision outlined on this Blueprint belongs to the Independent Publishers Taskforce, convened by IMPRESS in April 2019. Future steps in response to this vision will be taken forward by the Public Interest News Foundation.
*More details about the members of the taskforce are available on the document ‘Supporting Public Interest News: A Blueprint’ published on November 2019 by the Independent Publishers Taskforce.