THE importance of trusted journalism has been the focus of this week’s Journalism Matters campaign launched by the News Media Association.

The campaign, which runs across hundreds of local and national titles – including those in Newsquest Cumbria - celebrates the vital role of journalism in society, while the Making a Difference showcase will highlight the power of local and national news brands to campaign for positive change in the communities they serve.

The Society of Editors Media Freedom Awards in London next week also celebrate excellence in public interest and campaigning journalism, and are open to journalists and news organisations working across all platforms including national and regional print media, broadcast, digital and magazine journalism.

Newsquest Cumbria’s Chief Reporter, Phil Coleman, has been shortlisted for two awards: Regional Investigation of the Year in the News & Star and Regional Journalist of the Year.

“Democracies need journalism," said Phil.

"They need it because society needs independent witnesses – good story tellers, whose loyalty is to objective truth, and not to any special interest.

"I’ve done this job for more than three decades and still – despite the challenges, and opportunities of this digital age – I regard it as a privilege.

"Whether you’re working in London or in a remote northern city, this job is the same: it’s about finding and telling fairly the stories that matter - with integrity, skill, and compassion, so everybody can know them.

News and Star: Culture secretary Lucy Frazer reiterated her support of protecting freedom of the press

“When societies suppress journalism, narratives are seized by the powerful, the PR-obsessed corporations, the reputation managers, and government spin doctors.

"They’re in every corner of society. To quote an old cliché, truth is the first casualty. I’m proud to have been a foot-soldier in the war against spin. I’ve always believed democracy depends upon the vibrancy of its journalism; for all our sakes, we need to cherish and protect it. “

There are as many as 900 national and local news media titles published across the UK, and data suggests that 73 per cent of the British population aged 15 and over read local news media every month.

Also 61 per cent of people believe that newspapers play a key role in publicising campaigns, while 68 per cent agreed that a world without journalism would be detrimental to democracy.

News and Star: Shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire emphasised the importance of leveling the gap between

Government support surfaced as culture secretary Lucy Frazer MP said: "My priority, and that of this Government, will always be standing right behind our media and protecting freedom of the press at every turn."

Thangam Debbonaire MP, Shadow Culture Secretary, added: “There is also an urgent need to level the playing field between news publishers, the main investors in journalism, and big tech platforms.

"We must maintain robust copyright protections for content creators, and they must be fairly rewarded for their work."