New case studies published as part of the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) and Independent Community News Network (ICNN) Save Independent News campaign share the experience of life under lock-down for independent publishers across the UK.
PINF and ICNN are documenting the experience of independent publishers facing the Coronavirus crisis. The case studies attempt to exemplify not only the vital work these organisations are doing in going above and beyond to support their local communities in the current climate, but also the immense financial strain and operational challenges they face as they battle to keep publishing.
In Portsmouth, local publisher the Star & Crescent has partnered with a local domestic violence charity to capture the impact of the pandemic on victims and survivors of abuse, and on the organisation and their staff. The title is also publishing daily diaries from local residents documenting their experience of social distancing and lock-down.
‘The response so far shows me that we are hitting the tip of the iceberg and there's so much more we could cover.’ Sarah Cheverton, Editor, Star and Crescent.
Up north in Aberdeenshire, local news site My Turriff has been acting as a Covid-19 central resource hub for the local community, registering as a formal community group with the Grampian Coronavirus Assistance Hub, the regional organisation for people needing support. The title is helping to pair people in need with volunteers that offered their service by signing up on the My Turriff site.
“So far, we have been lucky that there has not been a huge number of confirmed cases or deaths up here in the North East, but we are very aware that we are some way behind the curve and are expecting things to get busier in the next few weeks.” – Mike Rawlins, Editor, My Turriff.
In Kent, The Isle of Thanet News has also been actively signposting Covid-19 resources and support services for those in the local area. The title has worked to ensure that those who aren't necessarily online are still receiving vital updates by publishing a 16-page Coronavirus special edition of the newspaper, distributed to local food banks, homelessness groups, churches and isolated individuals.
These are just a handful of the independent publishers doing extraordinary work in the face of Covid-19. More case studies are available at www.saveindependentnews.org.uk/case-studies.
Find out more about the Save Independent News campaign at www.saveindependentnews.org.uk