Almost 50 guests from the community came to mark Indie News Week on Tuesday as Wokingham Today and Reading Today held a ‘meet the team’ event at its Peach Street offices in Wokingham.
Attendees included people from readers, advertisers, the political community, civic dignitaries, and the voluntary sector.
Indie News Week is a celebration of independent news strengthening democracy, holding power to account, creating pride in place and fostering civic participation.
The mission of the week is to connect communities with their news providers, generate funds, and raise awareness of the essential work that journalists do across the country.
Big tech greed and corporate takeovers are strangling local news, and the independent news providers that bring you the news you need are having to fight to keep going.
Beckie Shuker, campaign and communications manager from the event week organiser PINF (the Public Interest News Foundation), also joined the event.
Andy Preston, editor of Wokingham Today and Reading Today, thanked everyone for giving up their time.
He said: “This year is shaping up to be a defining year for the future of independent news.
“From debates around public notices in parliament, and the BBC charter renewal process, to growing concerns around AI, media ownership and the power of big tech, the landscape is changing quickly.
“More than four million people in the UK live in “news deserts” – areas with little or no access to reliable local reporting.
“Without trusted information, communities struggle to engage meaningfully in local life, challenge decisions, or share their stories. Independent news outlets are stepping up to fill the gaps left by shrinking traditional media, despite declining advertising revenue and the growing dominance of big tech platforms. They strengthen democracy, create pride in place, and foster civic participation — often with limited resources.
“Many news providers are owned by billionaires, overseas shareholders, and hedge funds, and have had a lot of bad press in recent years. And for good reason.
“Unlike them, our small team at Wokingham Today and Reading Today do not work for a corporate bottom line. We work for you. To keep doing this, we need your support to help Indie news survive and thrive.”
