Government urges public to 'buy a newspaper'
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Speaking at the Downing Street briefing, Mr Jenrick said much of the frontline effort in the fight against coronavirus "is being co-ordinated in our own communities".
"A free country needs a free press and the national, the regional and the local newspapers of our country are under significant financial pressure," he said.
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Hide AdMr Jenrick added: "I would like to echo the words of the Culture Secretary (Oliver Dowden) recently in encouraging everyone who can to buy a newspaper."
Many titles have been forced to furlough staff and reduce pay due to advertising cuts as many businesses retrench in a bid to survive the lockdown.
In London, the Evening Standard - which is distributed for free across the transport network - was forced to make significant efforts to cut staff costs.
Its sister websites the Independent and Indy100 were also affected.
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Hide AdElsewhere in the capital, daily financial paper City AM has suspended its print operation.
Last month, the Government revealed it had set up a three-month advertising partnership across the newspaper industry to push its "stay at home" message to the public.
The deal was set up in partnership with Newsworks, a marketing body for national newspapers, and was intended to provide a lifeline to struggling outlets.
It is understood the newspaper industry was originally asking for £45 million for the campaign, however it is unclear how close the final total came.