Advertisers shun coronavirus coverage, hastening news media battle for survival

(Reuters) - From Rupert Murdoch's News UK to McClatchy's chain of local newspapers across the United States, news publishers are attracting record numbers of readers as people in lockdown seek information about the coronavirus pandemic. Yet advertising revenue has plummeted for many publishers as companies slash marketing budgets and prove reluctant to buy ads against coronavirus coverage for fear of tarnishing their brand.Forecasts for global advertising growth this year have been revised down..