MP urges fairer support for local newspapers

Melksham’s MP has called for stronger backing for independent newspapers during a Parliamentary debate on the future of local journalism.

MP Brian Mathew spoke in a debate that looked at the growing pressures facing local print media, including falling advertising revenues, the dominance of free online content and reduced engagement with news.

He highlighted the role played by small community titles and praised the work of the Melksham News.

He said, “In Melksham and Devizes we are lucky to have a local print newspaper in the Melksham News, that is both well-regarded and widely read, staffed by fantastic journalists who work hard to bring the news that matters most to local people. Importantly, these journalists are rooted in the local community, something that I think is essential to good local journalism.”

He told MPs that local publishers had called for greater support, noting that public notices and statutory advertising are often placed only with large commercial outlets.

“Speaking to the Melksham News, I’ve been made aware that many local authorities exclusively publish their statutory advice for things like road closures and consultations with larger corporate news outlets,” he said. “I agree with them that it would surely be fairer and indeed to have wider more effective reach if some of this ad spend was shared out among more local independent news outlets.

“These notices should be an important source of income for small, independent publishers, and it’s one small way that we as elected officials can continue to help our free and fair press.

“We must do everything we can to preserve and help those independent and local newspapers who are keeping the flame of honest journalism alive.

“I now have a regular column myself in the Melksham News and it’s been noticeable to me that what I write about is picked up and discussed around the town. It’s clear that it’s been read and that there is a real desire for local news for local people.”

The debate was led by Bromley and Biggin Hill MP Peter Fortune, who secured time to discuss the future of the UK’s local media. MPs from across the country also contributed, with many highlighting the good work independent news outlets were doing in their constituencies.