Indie News Week FAQs
Indie News Week will take place from 3-9 June, 2024 under the banner of ‘No News is Bad News’.
Click here to learn more about the campaign and here to sign up!
We've compiled a list of commonly asked questions (and our answers to them) below.
Campaign administration
When is the deadline to sign up?
We’d like to have all participating publishers signed up by April 15, at which point we will begin sharing the campaign pack.
How will I receive campaign materials?
We will be providing a comprehensive campaign pack with messaging, event options and social media and website best practice guides. You will also receive a link to a drive folder with the various design assets, including those adapted to various social media channels/merchandising options. Visuals will be provided in different formats to align with your website needs.
What kind of support will be available to me throughout the campaign?
PINF’s Head of Advocacy and our regional/national organisers will be available throughout the campaign to troubleshoot and help you with any issues that might come up. We may be able to collaborate with sector partners to offer training on community events.
In-person events
Do I have to hold an in-person event to participate?
Yes. We see in-person events as a key component of the campaign and a great way to directly engage local communities. Previous research from PINF and others tells us that residents are far more likely to trust the news when it comes from providers that are local to their areas.
People are much more likely to engage with the commitment journalists put into their work when they understand that the journalists themselves are as invested in their communities as the readers.
Will the event be a lot of work?
It depends on what you’d like to do, and we’re quite flexible here. We’ll provide a list of options with a different effort requirements, ranging from simple community listening events to more involved options like school activities build-a-newspaper exercises. If you have an idea you’d like to suggest, let us know!
Can I hold an event at a different time if that week doesn’t work for me?
We’d like to have as many events as possible over the same time period, but get in touch if you can’t do those dates and we can figure something out. We’re open to some events taking place soon after the 9th if necessary.
Can we hold our event in collaboration with other publishers and/or organisations?
Yes! Get in touch if you have an idea you’d like to discuss and we can work something out.
Eligibility criteria
I’d like to participate but I’m not, or not yet, a member of Impress, ICNN, PING! or IMA. Can I join?
It’s possible. If this applies to you, get in touch and we can talk about our options.
Fundraising & the Indie News Fund
Will fundraising be limited to Indie News Week?
We’re aware a week isn’t a long time to raise donations and grow memberships, so we’re happy for campaign material to be used for the month of June.
Will you only be matching funds raised during the one week?
That will also be extended to the end of June for eligible not-for-profit providers.
Is there a limit to how much money will be matched?
Yes, but that will depend on:
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How much money we raise for the Indie News Fund (we’re currently at £30,000); and
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How many eligible publishers participate.
Messaging
What if the campaign straplines/slogans/accompanying copy don’t work for my outlet/area?
Indie News Week and ‘No News is Bad News’ are central to the campaign, but the campaign pack we provide participating publishers will include several options for straplines and accompanying copy that you’ll be able to choose from.
Will the campaign receive national coverage?
We hope so! We’ve engaged with a very talented PR agency who will be working with national outlets to get the word out about the campaign and its participants. Any suggestions for coverage and/or high profile supporters is very welcome.
That’s all for now! We will update this page of any more Q’s are FA’ed. In the meantime, please get in touch with hani@publicinterestnews.org.uk with an thoughts, questions or concerns.
And don’t forget to sign up to the campaign! Deadline is April 15.