Sir Keir Starmer says journalism is the 'lifeblood of our democracy' as Journalism Matters week launches

In an article marking the launch of the News Media Association’s Journalism Matters campaign, the Prime Minister gave his strong backing to news media and the creative sector as “central to this Government’s driving mission on economic growth.”  

Sir Keir said his government would “always champion press freedoms” – which would include tackling SLAPPs deployed by the powerful to stop journalists publishing the truth – and warned that digital technology must not be allowed to erode press freedom.  

Run by the NMA on behalf of the industry, Journalism Matters is a week-long celebration of the importance of journalism to our democratic way of life which hundreds of news media titles, including National World, take part in every year.

In his article, Sir Keir said: “There are over 900 local and national news titles in the UK. For all the prophecies of doom about the future of news, that represents an extraordinary strength. The British news industry reaches over eighty percent of the population. 

“However, this vitality should not blind us to the challenges. And, while thankfully there is no direct threat to press freedoms in our country, we must remain vigilant that the growing power of digital technology does not begin to chip away at them. Particularly as artificial intelligence begins to  transform our economy and way of life.  

“Both artificial intelligence and the creative industries – which includes news and media – are central to this government’s driving mission on economic growth. To strike balance in our industrial policy, we are working closely with both sectors. We recognise the basic principle that publishers should have  control over and seek payment for their work, including when thinking about the role of AI.  

“Not only is it essential for a vibrant media landscape, in which the sector’s provision of trustworthy  information is more vital than ever. It is also relevant to our ongoing work to roll out the Digital  Markets and Consumers Act as swiftly as possible. This landmark legislation will help rebalance the  relationship between platforms and those, such as publishers, who rely on them.”

Two National World campaigns have been shortlisted for the NMA’s Make A Difference Award, which sees members of the public vote for their favourite local and national campaigns from the past year during Journalism Matters week.

The first is Project Peter Pan, a campaign launched in March to give a voice to a “lost generation” unable to afford housing in the run-up to the general election. Reporters across the country have been meeting and listening to young people, discussing how they have delayed starting families, have moved back home in their 30s, feel reliant on the bank of mum and dad, live in substandard rental properties, losing career aspirations, have put off university and face the reality of never buying a home.

Silent Crime is also nominated, a campaign to give victims a voice – and to demand that those in power listen. Across every newsroom, National World has told the stories of those who felt let down, or excluded, from justice, those who were told that there were no witnesses, no evidence to pursue or simply not enough resources to seek justice.

You can vote for the campaigns on the NMA website.

To mark the launch of Journalism Matters week, NMA chief executive Owen Meredith said: “This week, we are celebrating Journalism Matters week, dedicated to honouring the extraordinary work that UK journalists carry out, day in, day out – from shining a light on corruption, holding power to  account and reporting from the halls of Westminster to warzones in Israel, Gaza and Ukraine, all in  the public interest. 

“For this vital component of our democracy to continue, the Government must ensure a sustainable environment for our free press through measures such as standing up for press freedom as journalism faces an increasing array of threats, supporting our brilliant local news media which reaches huge audiences in print and digital, and maintaining our robust gold standard copyright regime to ensure  content creators control use of their works as AI technology continues to develop.”