Local news makes the places we live better. I don't need to tell you that, if you're reading this article on our website or in the paper, it's a fair bet that you already value local news.
This week, the UK Government has published it's Local Media Strategy, a document that aims to support local news provision in the face of the challenges from the monopolies held by the big tech platforms, the overreach of the BBC and more.
It's a moment to reflect on why it matters.
The report rightly states that local media is an “essential and unique public good”.
Locally based journalists are vital to local democracy, creating transparency and accountability and, through that, trust. Where there is no local journalism, trust declines.
But there's more than that. Local reporting brings problems to the council’s attention that matter to our readers. The fact local councils in our area are spending millions on fixing potholes is not divorced from how often we have been writing about them for many months. Sometimes we are criticised for being negative, but the scrutiny and debate helps improve our communities.
Campaigns run by local titles make a difference. Our sister title the Northern Echo, for example, uncovered serious failures at North East Ambulance Service, prompting an independent review of the service. The Southern Daily Echo was recently praised for its investigation that led to the resignation of a chief constable over sexual relationships with junior officers.
The government report also rightly recognises the community building role of local media too. We support communities by highlighting local events and the services of local businesses, and by hosting physical or virtual spaces where community organisations and charities can promote their work, through local listings, awards and much more.
In Wales, Newsquest's Our Communities Together campaign was a wonderful example, where in partnership with Community Foundation Wales we handed out £1.3m to cost-of-living crisis projects run by grassroots organisations.
As an editor, I am pleased to see the UK Government recognising the importance of local news. Beyond recognising the issue, the report puts forward some actions to support out industry.
Among them is an Inspiring the Future pilot scheme in the north-west of England that aims to reach 10,000 young people over six months and improve media literacy. Newsquest's titles in the area will be very involved in this scheme. Our newsroom, like many others, already works with local schools and this project will seek to build on that in one part of the UK to see if it can be replicated elsewhere.
I welcome the government's recognition that advertising spend with local media is highly effective, giving examples such as increasing awareness of actions to take in flood risk areas, improving take up of vaccines in certain communities and encouraging more people to register for pension credit. We want to see public bodies channel more advertising spend through local media because it gives a double benefit of being both highly effective, and supporting provision of local news.
The report also recognised the importance of the Local Democracy Reporting Service and the need for the BBC to do more to support, rather than compete with, local news media.
The 50-page report covers much more besides but uppermost in my mind today is the reminder of why local news matters to all of us. It gives me a chance to say thank you to you, our readers, for your support. If you buy the paper or are a digital subscriber, you help us to make our communities stronger and better. Thank you.
Susan Perry
Regional Editor
North Wales
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