Local press is essential. When people have access to meaningful local news that reflects their lived realities, they feel a greater sense of involvement and agency.

However, profit maximisation is putting local press on the endangered species list. People have less access to information about their communities and towns. Evidence shows this drives feelings of isolation and powerlessness which in turn fans the flames of the political distrust that enables authoritarian and anti-democratic behavior.

The Thuringia state government in Germany has the opportunity to deliver a new sustainable model of local press. The newspaper publisher, Funke Mediengruppe, has just unilaterally announced plans to close its Erfort site, the last newspaper printing house in the state. This will have dramatic long-term impacts on local press in Thuringia.

A historic opportunity

The works council at Funke Druck and their union Ver.di are putting forward an inspiring plan to save local press in Thuringia. They have undertaken a outlined concrete steps to keep the printing press open and viable, saving 270 jobs that are vital to the local economy while also ensuring the sustainability of local newspapers.

Across, Germany and Europe, local press is under threat from profit-driven models. But journalism cannot be reduced to the generation of profit. This is a historic chance to establish a more sustainable model. Stand with the workers in Thuringia and defend a new model for local press everywhere.

Tell the Thuringia state government to safeguard local press!