Government focuses on media IT jobs

16:55 29th April 2009

Culture secretary Andy Burnham has hosted a summit for local media in the north-west as part of an effort to increase the sector's development into the IT industry.

In a move that could help promote new IT jobs within the media, Mr Burnham has brought together media businesses from across the north-west to discuss the government's Digital Britain programme and to see how the media can become more involved in the IT sector.

"There are very real pressures facing local newspapers across the country, partly caused by the economic downturn and partly by the transformation brought about by the digital age," explained Mr Burnham.

He continued: "Today's summit will explore how we can support the local media industry in meeting these challenges and continuing to thrive in the future."

Last week, chancellor Alistair Darling announced plans to enable businesses in the IT and media sectors to access government funding that could help them develop more IT jobs during the recession.