Future of national newspaper distribution in Guernsey is uncertain

Tuesday, 14 April 2026 15:42

Guernsey’s Economic Development Committee has rejected a request from the newspaper boat company for financial support.

The Economic Development Committee has rejected a request from Iris Freight for financial support.

The impact on the Jersey company is unclear.

Iris Freight has delivered national newspapers to the island for around a decade.

President Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Millar said falling readership and rising costs mean government support would 'not be appropriate or sustainable', and raised concerns about media impartiality.

“While we recognise and value the service Iris Freight has provided over many years, the challenges it faces are structural and industry‑wide.

"Government intervention in the newspaper distribution market would not address those underlying issues and would likely require significant, ongoing and growing public subsidy and would not be a one-off request.

"In addition, the Committee concluded that Government financial support intended to subsidise newspaper distribution would risk undermining impartiality of the local media and would therefore not be appropriate.

"For those reasons, the Committee agreed that it was not able to provide financial support.

"The Committee understand that this decision can lead to significant changes in the national newspaper distribution market and may create a time of uncertainty.

"The Committee is very mindful that the Guernsey Press, as the only organisation responsible for newspaper distribution, is better placed to consider any future arrangements.

"Notwithstanding, the Committee remains open to working with all stakeholders in the media and distribution market, if needed and considered appropriate by the industry."