Huw Marshall, Founder Talking Wales
The second annual Indie News Week starts today, Monday, June 9th, and runs until Saturday, June 15th, 2025. Dedicated to celebrating and supporting the UK’s independent news sector, it was launched by the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) in 2024. The initiative highlights the vital role that local community-led outlets play in sustaining democracy, fostering public engagement, and filling critical information gaps left by declining mainstream media.
Why does Indie News Week Matter?
Local news is facing dramatic challenges. We have written extensively about the challenges facing public interest news in Wales and further afield, from the rise of digital platforms absorbing advertising revenue to corporate consolidation and closures of local news outlets. Under the banner “No News is Bad News,” Indie News Week aims to raise awareness, foster community interaction, and amplify fundraising efforts for indie newsrooms.
Stronger Together
Collaboration is at the heart of this year’s events. For instance, South West Durham News and The Northern Eco will share a newsroom during Indie News Week, hosting podcasts, open doors, guided nature walks and market stalls.
These activities offer the public an insider view of journalism—how stories are crafted, verified, and published.
The Bylines Network are hosting a panel discussion focused on equality and diversity in indie media. Funded through coordinated community journalism, Bylines highlights how underrepresented voices can reshape newsrooms and challenge mainstream media narratives.
Across the UK
From Shetland to Eastbourne, Belfast to Bethesda, over 30 independent outlets will host local events, from quizzes and symposiums to online meet‑ups.
The Public Interest News Foundation’s director, Jonathan Heawood, told Hold the Front Page: “Communities deserve healthy news ecosystems that facilitate the free flow of information, speak truth to power and shine a light on important issues.”
More Than a Week
Indie News Week isn’t just a celebration; it’s about advocacy. The Public Interest News Foundation has launched a petition urging the UK Government to support local news infrastructure, backing Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy’s pledge for reliable news services in every town and village.
Importantly, the week also builds capacity. Outlets report increased confidence and skills after participating: better fundraising, community engagement, and collaboration that fortify their resilience against systemic challenges.
Looking Ahead
Indie News Week underscores just how much is at stake when community media thrives or dies. Successful initiatives show that indie outlets can flourish with public backing through donations, subscriptions, crowdfunding, and accessible local engagement. As the sector evolves, the campaign aims to sustain and scale support.
Talking Wales has launched a new website as part of Indie News Week, and is starting conversations around critical issues such as immigration, the Senedd elections in May 2026 and news provision in Wales as we develop our new service.
Indie News Week is a great starting point if you’d like to support Talking Wales. Less news means less community; as the campaign reminds us, no news is bad news.