People need more feel-good stories – and we are seeking to provide them

From local acts of heroism to national news, we are aiming to give readers some positivity during these uncertain times, writes Luke Brown

The Virtual Grand National raised £2.6m for the NHS Charities Together organisation (EPA)

Earlier this year, back before the World Health Organisation (WHO) deemed Covid-19 a pandemic, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism published a report in which they identified 2020 as being a uniquely difficult year for our industry.

The institute surveyed some 233 “digital leaders”, including 48 editors in chief, 30 heads of digital and 26 chief executives, with the respondents hailing from the United Kingdom and 31 other countries.

One anxiety practically leapt off the page. Vogue and GQ publisher Conde Nast’s head of audience growth, Sarah Marshall, said that she was increasingly worried by “reader fatigue and news avoidance”. She added: “Clearly this is a problem for democracy and debate, and not just for the industry.”