Darren Thwaites: Our world has changed, but our fight against fake news is more important than ever
By Darren Thwaites, editor in chief, Manchester Evening News
FEW could have guessed a few months back that we’d be in the grip of the biggest news event since the Second World War.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about swift and unprecedented
changes to our lives as the government introduces sweeping restrictions to try to minimise the death toll.
It’s a frightening time for families and a vital time for the distribution of accurate information and the promotion of community values.
We’ve seen the very best side of the human spirit with the selflessness of community volunteers, the dedication of our health workers and random acts of kindness to keep our spirits up.
Sadly, we’ve also seen the darker side of humanity with selfishness, profiteering and criminality.
At the heart of this national emergency is the spread of information that’s now more voraciously sought, shared and consumed than ever before.
It’s against this backdrop that responsible, trusted media organisations have such a vital role to play. Now, more than ever, we have to guard against fake news and misinformation and support those publishers that employ trained journalists and adhere to a responsible code of practice.
These trusted news publishers like the Manchester Evening News - alongside the public-service broadcasting of the BBC — are playing a historic and important role in this pandemic.
Our reporters at the Manchester Evening News have key worker status because they are providing that vital public service — not only sharing reliable information but also supporting community efforts, keeping spirits up and holding authorities to account if needed.
The way we’re carrying out that role has changed massively in just a few weeks. Our offices are closed, although our print production workers are keeping our presses running.
Our editors and journalists are communicating by video conference or in private chat groups. We’re only sending out into the field where absolutely necessary and in the public interest — and only then when we can observe social distancing.
We’re able to maintain a home-delivered operation safely and for many, especially some of our most vulnerable people, that connection to the world via the M.E.N is a vital lifeline.
For many others, the continuously updated website and app services — both of them free to access — are proving an invaluable daily destination.
The Manchester Evening News is now by far the biggest regional news publisher in the UK — reaching millions of people.
Our team of journalists are the best in our industry. They’re dedicated and committed to keeping you informed day and night, seven days a week.
We’re also determined to tell the good news stories and reflect how Greater Manchester is responding with kindness and community spirit.
That’s why we have a daily live blog just to capture those positive stories.
We’re also helping to bring volunteers forward and are partnering in the NHS Heroes website, inviting the public to show their gratitude to health workers.
The Manchester Evening News has been alongside you through triumph and tragedy for more than 150 years — and we’re right alongside you now.
