The future of local news was discussed in Parliament last month as Melksham News attended a national briefing on the growing crisis facing the sector.
The event was hosted by the Public Interest News Foundation in partnership with the Media All-Party Parliamentary Group and brought together MPs from across the political spectrum, including Melksham MP Brian Mathew, to hear about the urgent need to support trusted local news.
The briefing heard that increasing areas of the UK are being designated as ‘news deserts’, where no reliable local news provision is available.
Joe McCann from the Melksham News said, “Across the country many local newspapers have closed, leaving communities without a trusted source of local news.
“Local journalism plays an important role in promoting democracy and encouraging people to engage with what is happening in their communities.
“But it is becoming increasingly difficult for smaller independent publishers to operate, which is why it was good to be able to raise awareness with MPs about the importance of local news and challenges facing the sector.”
The visit came shortly before the Government published its Local Media Action Plan on 17th March, setting out proposals to support the future of the sector including a £6million local news fund, helping smaller publishers measure audiences, and boosting the online prominence of local journalism.
Introducing the report, Lisa Nandy MP Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said, “Local media is the lifeblood of our democracy. It keeps people informed about the decisions that shape their lives, speaks truth to power by holding local services and institutions to account, and it gives all of our communities a voice in our national story.
“But for local media to thrive in every part of the country, things have to change.
“As audiences move online, the foundations that once sustained local journalism have been shaken… When local journalism declines, trust declines with it. Accountability weakens. And voices across the UK are silenced.
“The government will not allow that to happen.”
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