The Stormont Executive has yet to agree on a proposal to extend a coronavirus support to the local newspaper industry, the finance minister has said.
Conor Murphy said he put a plan to ministerial colleagues in June to widen the remit of a one-year rates relief scheme to include the sector.
Mr Murphy told the Assembly that the proposal had yet to secure agreement and had not yet made its way onto the formal agenda of an executive meeting for consideration.
Around 25,000 businesses in Northern Ireland across sectors such as hospitality, tourism, retail and leisure are not being asked to pay rates in the 2020/21 financial year under one of the executive's main Covid-19 support measures.
Mr Murphy was asked by DUP MLA Gordon Dunne about the struggles of the local newspaper sector during Assembly question time.
"I'm very aware the local newspaper sector here is struggling to survive given this significant loss of income experienced over recent months," the minister replied.
"I can confirm to the member that back in June I did indeed put plans to executive colleagues to extend the 12-month rates support to the local newspaper industry here.
"That was in line with similar relief that had been provided in Scotland.
"I remain keen in seeing that this matter is agreed by the executive."
He added: "It hasn't got onto the executive agenda and that is a matter of regret but I hope that it will at some stage very soon."
Mr Murphy said he was also seeking to increase the executive's spend on advertising in newspapers.
He said the ads would help spread the administration's public health messaging while at the same time boosting a revenue stream for the sector.
"They also will hit, I think, a demographic in terms of advertising that perhaps social media and electronic media don't hit," Mr Murphy added.
"And perhaps some of the people who most need to hear in terms of protecting themselves and whatever vulnerabilities they might have - so I'm keen that such an advertising campaign is stepped up."
Ulster Unionist MLA Mike Nesbitt urged the minister to also look at extending libel law reforms to Northern Ireland, a move he insisted would help bring more long term security for the media industry.
Mr Murphy said the issue had not yet been raised with him within his department but he pledged to examine it.
"I'm happy to go back into the department and see where that issue has been sitting and what can be done in relation to it," he said.
