Ahead of a reception for regional media at Buckingham Palace, King Charles has shared a message thanking those who help to ‘amplify and reaffirm the rights and responsibilities we all share’, as well as highlighting the ‘unique and vital’ role that local journalists play.
The King recalled a speech he made in 2002 to mark the tercentenary of Britain’s first daily national newspaper, which he stated the press was at the forefront of ‘defining, describing and celebrating the more profound values of our nation’.
Examining the press industry 20 years later, His Majesty said that there is ‘too much focus is given to that which divides us’ but the role of local journalism is ‘more important than ever – and it starts from the ground-up, at local level, in your hands’.
‘Your reporting, and the work of all those who support you, helps amplify and reaffirm the rights and responsibilities we all share. It shines a light in dark corners, exposing injustice and wrongdoing. Above all, it helps strengthen our communities, in times of joy and at moments of sorrow’.
King Charles III noted that the media ‘won’t always get it right’ but ‘a free media is one that will and does make mistakes. But at its best, it is a cornerstone of our democracy’.
Acknowledging how ‘commercial pressures and changing technologies have had a significant impact’ on regional media, but with the changing landscape, The King states that journalists too have ‘adapted and innovated, finding ways of sharing your journalism and engaging audiences in new and creative ways’,
I know how commercial pressures and changing technologies have had a significant impact on your industry. But as the media landscape has changed, so too many of you have adapted and innovated, finding ways of sharing your journalism and engaging audiences in new and creative ways.
‘It is in everyone’s interests that you should succeed. For without a thriving and financially robust regional media, we would all be the poorer’.
Charles’ message comes as he and Camilla will host around 400 guests from a range of UK news organisations to show support for local journalism at the Palace.
