Ahead of a reception for regional media in the UK, at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday evening, His Majesty The King shared the following message to people who work in the industry – and some 400 joined him and Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
The Message from His Majesty The King reads:
“I have long believed that regional media, in all its forms, has a unique and vital role to play in society, perhaps even more so in these uncertain times.
“As I said in a speech to mark the tercentenary of Britain’s first daily national newspaper, back in 2002, the Press, alongside other long-standing institutions, is at the forefront of ‘defining, describing and celebrating the more profound values of our nation’.
“Two decades on, when too much focus is given to that which divides us, that role for your whole industry 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.
“You won’t always get it right. A free media is one that will and does make mistakes. But at its best, it is a cornerstone of our democracy.
“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.
“Thank you.”
Charles R
The editor of The Edinburgh Reporter, Phyllis Stephen attended the event as Vice Chair of the Board of the Independent Community News Network.
She said: “Their Majesties had invited a cross section of the media large and small from all over the UK. We enjoyed canapés and a selection of drinks in the Ballroom at the Palace.
“There was a frisson of excitement among us – queuing outside all clutching our green invitations, or when ascending the stairs from the courtyard where we have seen photos and footage of members of the Royal Family accessing royal carriages, and standing on the steps at the side of the ballroom (where there are rows of elevated seats) looking across the room filled with colleagues from all over the UK. It was a thrill to be invited but an even bigger thrill to be there – and the acknowledgment from His Majesty is very welcome indeed.”
The photo below shows the members of ICNN who attended.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
