The challenges facing the local and national newspaper industry with outlined in stark detail at an Oireachtas briefing in front of a huge turnout of TDs and Senators in Leinster House last week.

The event last week highlighted the challenges and opportunities for journalism and the need for Government support – and at the same time acknowledging the assistance the industry has received on the back of previous lobby days at the Dáil.

There was a strong contingent of Oireachtas members from Galway in attendance, including Galway West Deputy Catherine Connolly, Galway East TDs Louis O’Hara, Albert Dolan, Peter Roche and Minister Sean Canney, as well as Galway Senators Shane Curley, Ollie Crowe and Alice Mary Higgins.

Bob Hughes, Executive Director of Local Ireland, which represents local news publishers around the country – including the Connacht Tribune – warned the industry still faced an existential crisis but would be sustainable with the right supports.

“We have never had so many readers thanks to digital and our online platforms, but our traditional revenue sources which still make local journalism viable are very challenged,” he said.

“We are grateful for the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes that have been launched by Coimisiún na Meán but we need the schemes to be continued and more schemes to be put in place. The funding for the schemes also needs to be put on a statutory basis,” he added.

Mr Hughes called for local news publishers to receive a fair share of public information advertising from Government departments, state agencies and local councils.

“This is taxpayers’ money. It should be distributed fairly to trusted and professional media outlets. The European Media Freedom Act needs to be implemented so that there will be complete transparency about where this money is being allocated,”

“The Future of Media Commission recognised that our work is vital for our communities and our democracy. No local news publisher should be left behind in the dissemination of public information.”

Editor of the Anglo-Celt Linda O’Reilly, representing local editors, told the meeting: “Today we have six full-time people in editorial and a smaller pool of freelancers in the Celt. With less resources we have to get the paper out, keep the website updated and feed our social media channels. News is 24/7 and we are never switched off. It’s tough and an ongoing challenge.

“Your support through the local democracy and court reporting schemes means that we have just hired two new reporters and an additional freelancer.

“What that means for The Anglo-Celt is that we will be able to continue to dedicate human resources to public service journalism – the courts and councils – and enhance that coverage. We are also getting ready to launch a new series of podcasts and are working on video projects. That’s good news for us, for you and for our readers,” she added.

The briefing included a panel discussion hosted by the editor of the Business Post, Danny McConnell, which included CEO of Celtic Media Group Frank Mulrennan,  CEO of DMG Media Paul Henderson and the Galway-born Managing Director of the Irish Times Group, Deirdre Veldon.

Pictured: Bob Hughes, Executive Director of Local Ireland, addressing the Local Ireland/Newsbrands Information Day in Leinster House.