Communities across the UK are set to benefit as the Government backs high quality and trustworthy local journalism with a new local news media action plan.
The UK Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy MP, has announced she will provide up to £12 million in funding for local media in communities across the UK.
Nandy said the government’s new ‘Local Media Strategy’ is part of the steps it is taking to improve social cohesion and protect what matters.
Local news funding
It includes new funding to help local news publishers innovate digitally, support community radio stations and tackle the risks of ‘news deserts’ by helping to revive a local news presence in communities that currently don’t have one.
Government evidence shows that up to 37 local authority districts now have no print, online, TV or radio outlet dedicated specifically to that area – leaving as many as 4.4 million citizens in local ‘news deserts’, which disproportionately occur in the most deprived urban areas.
‘Future of News’ conference
Speaking at the Society of Editors Future of News conference, Nandy said: “This strategy will provide unprecedented funding for local media outlets to invest in innovation and infrastructure, almost tripling the size of funding for community radio, harnessing the power of local and national government and giving more young people access to high quality journalism and the opportunity to pursue careers in it.”
“Because local media was and always has been a ladder of opportunity to help new voices break into journalism. This is not a nice to have. It is essential to a cohesive country.”
“Our debate is too narrow and too small. We will change that. The strategy we publish today is the start – not the end point – and we recognise there is more to do.”
Regional media
A new Regional Media Forum in the West of England will explore ways to improve the relationship between journalists and local public services.
The forum, alongside a wider review of the publication of statutory notices in local newspapers, will aim to stimulate generation of public interest news and scrutiny of local decision-making.
Other measures in the strategy include a campaign in schools in North West England to inspire young people from all backgrounds to pursue local media careers, and a commitment to guarantee digital access to a wide range of local and national news in all state schools in England.
Chief Executive of the Society of Editors, Dawn Alford, said: “The Society of Editors welcomes the government’s recognition of the importance of local media and the steps set out in this strategy to support innovation and encourage the next generation of journalists.”
“Publishers and editors have been adapting to a rapidly changing media landscape for years, successfully reaching significantly larger audiences through digital platforms while continuing to inform the public, reflect local voices and hold decision-makers to account.”
News Media Association Chief Executive, Owen Meredith, said: “The government’s focus on the sustainability of local journalism and its importance to communities through the package of measures announced in the Local Media Strategy today are very welcome.”
“We are particularly pleased to see a clear commitment to make better use of trusted local news environments – which reach 77% of UK adults – for central government advertising, as well as a new £12 million fund to boost local news provision.”