Last year’s inaugural Indie News Week was a great success, not only for us here at South West Durham News, but for independent news providers as a whole. We are pleased to announce that it is back for 2025, and are delighted to be joined this year by digital publication, The Northern Eco, with whom we have previously collaborated on important environmental stories.
What is Indie News Week?
Under the banner of ‘No News is Bad News’, Indie News Week is a national campaign which gives us local journalists an opportunity to meet with communities, showing them who’s behind their local independent news outlet and what goes into accurately covering our stories.
It’s hosted by The Public Interest News Foundation (PINF), the UK’s first charity to support public interest news – ethical and impartial journalism that informs and empowers the public about the things that matter to all of us.
The campaign is taking place around the UK from Monday 9th to Sunday 15th June.
What we will be doing
South West Durham News and The Northern Eco will be sharing their resources and expertise to work together on a series of events, articles, photos and podcasts during the week.
We’re still planning out the exact details but we want to offer readers a choice of events including a guided nature walk, the opportunity to attend special in-person meetings as well as exploring new ways for local communities to share the stories that matter to them.
Sarah Hartley, founder of The Northern Eco said: “I am thrilled to be able to use the opportunity to put a special focus on County Durham during the week and will be working from the SWDN open newsroom so that I can hear first hand about the environmental issues people really care about there.”
“I am thrilled to be able to use the opportunity to put a special focus on County Durham during the week and will be working from the SWDN open newsroom so that I can hear first hand about the environmental issues people really care about there” – The Northern Eco Founder Sarah Hartley
Why is Indie News Week important?
People need information and shared understandings to participate meaningfully in their communities, yet over 4 million Brits live in news deserts. That’s why we believe No News is Bad News. Communities deserve healthy news ecosystems that facilitate the free flow of information, speak truth to power and shine a light on important issues.
Local news providers like ours are meeting this challenge head on, by strengthening democracy, holding power to account, creating pride in place and fostering civic participation.
However, big tech disruption and declining advertising mean that local providers are still having to fight to keep independent news alive which is why the week will also be an opportunity for us to raise funds through donations and membership drives.
In 2024, PINF brought 40 publishers together, who were able to raise at least £78,000, significantly boost public awareness of the sector and deeply connect with their local communities.
What happens next?
We’ll bring you full details of the events and reader opportunities nearer the time but for now, we’d love to hear from YOU. Is there an issue you’d particularly like us to focus on? Would you like to come along to an event? What else can we do to bring you the news you need? Leave a comment below.
Sarah Hartley
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
