“The future of news is local”

The West of England will play a central role in £12million plans to protect and boost local journalism, the Government is set to announce today.

The Culture Secretary will today unveil the first Local Media Strategy in a generation and is set to declare: “The future of news is local”.

And Lisa Nandy will outline the creation of a Regional Media Forum in the WECA area to look at ways of improving the relationship between journalists and local public services.

It is a key pillar of the Government’s action plan, which Ms Nandy will deliver in a speech at the Society of Editors ‘Future of News’ conference today.

It will include up to £12million to fund local media’s digital innovation, for community radio and to fill so-called ‘news deserts’ – areas where there is no dedicated news title.

The action plan will also include campaigns to promote ‘Newspapers for Schools’ and encourage more young people into careers in journalism.

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Speaking at the conference, the Culture Secretary will say: “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. But it is the start of a new approach to local media, which nurtures it and places it directly at the heart of our government’s support for our country. Because the future of news is local.”

The Regional Media Forum will be launched in the West of England in the coming months in partnership with the Combined Authority and aims to act as a channel for ongoing dialogue and cooperation between local media outlets and local councils, the emergency services, health services and the courts.

The aim is to improve the relationship between local journalists and local public services.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) says the forum will establish a “best practice framework” for how local journalists and local public services should engage. The idea is that will then be rolled out nationwide.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: “Local journalism is one of the cornerstones of democracy, and new funding announced by the government today is an important step in supporting the sector.

“Journalists across the West Country do irreplaceable work, whether they’re writing in the papers I grew up reading or updating people in our region and beyond on what’s going on via social media.

“Through our new Regional Media Forum, working in partnership with the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, we are looking forward to bringing together journalists and public sector bodies to deliver best practice in how we work together.”

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The strategy also commits central government to ensuring it makes best use of local and hyperlocal media in its advertising and public information campaigns, while helping them to become more competitive and championing their use in commercial advertising.

Local media outlets will be able to bid for grants under the new multi-year Local News Fund, which the Government says is worth up to £12million over the next two years.

A portion of the Local News Fund will be used to revive local news in areas where there is no longer a dedicated presence.

Society of Editors chief executive 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. In fact, some publishers are now reaching 80% of the local population their titles serve – more than ever before.

“A strong local media sector is essential to democratic society, and we look forward to working with government and industry partners to ensure it continues to thrive and serve communities across the UK.”

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.

“As reader habits change and the way we all access local news evolves with technology, ensuring publishers are properly rewarded for their investment in local journalism is vital, rather than the lion’s share of the value being siphoned off by Big Tech.

“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. We are also delighted to be supporting a new campaign aimed at inspiring young people to take up a career in local news media.

“The Strategy also rightly identifies a need to improve transparency in local public bodies – maintaining a strong link between public notices and local news media will be critical to the success of that important work.”

Edd Moore, Editor-in-Chief of BristolLive, SomersetLive and GloucestershireLive publisher Reach plc in the South West, added: “This is a welcome and long-overdue set of measures from the Government and the establishment of a Regional Media Forum in the West of England is an exciting opportunity for the region to be at the forefront of this plan.

“It is encouraging that what the Culture Secretary is announcing today clearly recognises the value of local news to society and reflects some of the major challenges the industry is facing.

“However, it must only be the start. The BBC ’s relationship with local media and the stranglehold the big tech firms have on the public’s news consumption are just some of the other issues that warrant further discussion. Today’s announcement is hopefully a step towards a wider conversation and more action to come.”