The News Media Association said: “This is a thoughtful report which recognises the critical role of written journalism to democracy and sets out a series of detailed recommendations, many of which respond directly to the proposals put forward by the NMA and our members.
“These include a Competition and Markets Authority market study into the ‘complex and opaque’ online advertising market, new measures aimed at constraining the behaviour of the online platforms, an examination of the BBC’s impact on commercial publishers, funding support for local news publishers, and tax reliefs such as extending VAT zero rating for online news publications.
“We look forward to engaging with the government to discuss the Cairncross recommendations in more detail and how these should be taken forward as a matter of urgency to ensure they support independent journalism delivered by a strong and sustainable press.”
Commenting on the publication of the Cairncross Review, PPA Managing Director, Owen Meredith said: “The PPA welcomed the Review and thank Dame Frances and her team for the detailed work they have undertaken in compiling the report and recommendations.
“We are particularly pleased that the Review has listened to evidence submitted by the PPA on behalf of consumer magazine and business information publishers and has adopted our key proposals.
“Notably, in recommending the extension of the zero-rate of VAT to digital publications, the review has acknowledged the bizarre anomaly in the current tax system and the barrier this creates for innovation and product development in publishing. The government should now act to axe the reading tax at the earliest opportunity.”
Download the Cairncross report here.
Read the BBC’s report on the Cairncross Review’s report here.
