Oireachtas Day for newspaper editors highlights need for Budget reforms

OIREACHTAS LOBBYING  Michael Duffy, Editor of The Mayo News, was in the DΡil last Wednesday as part of the #JournalismMatters campaign. He is pictured with, from left: Senator John O’Mahony, Senator Rose Conway Walsh, Tom Kelly, Editor, The Connaught Telegraph, Senator Michelle Mulhern, Dara Calleary, TD and Lisa Chambers, TD.

Five-point plan revealed to TDs and Senators

More than 40 editors from local, regional and national newspaper titles last Wednesday visited DΡil Éireann and briefed members of the Oireachtas on the need for Budget 2019 to include supports for independent journalism in Ireland.
Local Ireland (on behalf of local newspapers) and NewsBrands Ireland (on behalf of national titles) have a campaign underway called #JournalismMatters, which highlights the need to support Irish journalism, now more than ever. The campaign calls on the Government to use Budget 2019 to deliver on a five-point-plan for the industry:

• Apply a five percent VAT rate to newspapers and digital products in Budget 2019, ahead of ultimately reducing to zero percent once EU laws allow
• Reform Ireland’s draconian defamation laws to ensure that the stories that need to be told, are told
• Appoint a Minister for Media – a single member of the Cabinet should have oversight for all aspects of our complex media landscape
• Establish a News Publishers Media Fund – to drive innovation and investment
• Invest in a training support scheme for all journalists - #JournalismMatters

Editor of The Mayo News, Michael Duffy, was in attendance at the presentation in the AV room at DΡil Éireann, and was delighted with the response of Mayo’s TDs and Senators.
“It was heartening to see a large majority of Mayo’s Oireachtas members attending the presentation and engaging with The Mayo News. Fianna FΡil TDs Dara Calleary and Lisa Chambers, along with Fine Gael Senators Michelle Mulherin and John O’Mahony, and Sinn Féin Senator Rose Conway Walsh, were all pictured at the presentation, while Senator Paddy Burke also joined the delegation afterwards. Our senior Minister Michael Ring sent his apologies as he was in attendance at the National Ploughing Championship.
“All of our Oireachtas members indicated their willingness to lobby the relevant Ministers with regard to delivery on the five point plan, made public through the Journalism Matters campaign. As it stands, the application of a five percent VAT rate would be highly beneficial for all newspapers, and this is the main point we would all like to see action on in the upcoming budget. However, the other points are too very important, and delivery on these would give newspapers hope at a time when it is all too easy to announce the impending demise of the local newspaper industry,” said Mr Duffy.
President of Local Ireland, Frank Mulrennan said: “Aside from the loss to democratic life in our society, the losses will be big in many communities – jobs will go, not just in the newspaper titles, but many of the supporting ones in newsagents and other indirect jobs. Without strong and healthy local newspapers politicians will be challenged in maintaining engagement with the electorate because local newspapers reach at least 1.5 million people across Ireland each week.”
Chairman of NewsBrands Ireland, Vincent Crowley said: “The future of Irish journalism is at a crossroads and government inaction now is simply not an option. Without the supports and investment, and clarity on VAT rates, the sector will not be able to thrive and invest, but will falter and publications will be forced to close or at best scale back on the good, independent journalism that has been a bedrock of Irish democracy. The forthcoming budget gives this government the opportunity to send a strong message that it appreciates a vibrant news media industry in this country and is seeking ways to protect it for future generations.”