Government Announces Press Sustainability Review Panel

Local and national news media publishers are to sit on the advisory panel for the Government’s review examining the sustainability of high quality journalism which will be chaired by Dame Frances Cairncross.

Speaking at the Oxford Media Convention on Monday, Culture Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Although the internet has been an immense force for good, it has torn apart the established order and raised real questions about the sustainability and profitability of traditional journalism.

“Dame Frances Cairncross will bring her experience in journalism and academia to tackle these issues with a view to examine the press and protect the future of high quality journalism.”

The panel will include publishers such as KM Media Group chairman Geraldine Allinson,  Johnston Press chief executive Ashley Highfield, Guardian Media Group head of public policy Matthew Rogerson, and Associated Newspapers editor emeritus Peter Wright.  

Dame Frances Cairncross said: “Having spent much of my working life as a journalist, and seen how the digital revolution has changed both the fortunes of newspapers and the opportunities for distributing news, I am excited to be undertaking this review.

“This is both a challenging and an exciting time for the press, both locally and nationally, and I hope the review will clarify both ways to ensure the future of high quality journalism and the options for public policy.”