We must honour our proud tradition of strong local news for the sake of our communities
Credit: PjrTravel / Alamy Stock Photo
4 min read
A sense of belonging and a connection to our local community provides essential security against loneliness. People increasingly feel alienated from their neighbours as communities move from the physical space to cyberspace, where connections are more likely to be based on shared interests than shared locations.
One bulwark that has in the past connected us to our local area is regional and local news. Local newspapers have a proud history in the United Kingdom. In the heyday of the printed press every community, from major cities to shire parishes, had a thriving and well-read local newspaper. This ensured communities stayed connected to local news, local government was scrutinised and there was a common understanding of important issues in a community. In turn, this helped to create bonds and underpin communities, whatever the differences of those who live in an area.
The decline of what was once one of the most popular sections in local papers – the classified ads – and the movement of that market online has wiped-out much of local and regional newspapers’ revenue streams. This has forced them to cut journalists and print runs – leaving a gap where they once played a key role in providing a shared understanding of local issues.
The reduction in local news provision really matters, particularly as the country pursues a devolution agenda
Press Gazette estimates the number of journalists working in local news has fallen from around 9,000 in 2007 to around 3,000 today. That is a significant and alarming decline.
Yes, some of this space has been taken up by location-based Facebook and WhatsApp groups and these can be useful. But they lack the editorial control and curation of news that is required to ensure local communities are well informed and connected.
They also miss large chunks of the population who are digitally excluded – our report on this issue in 2023 found that 1.7 million homes in the UK don’t have access to the internet and 2.4 million people lack the digital skills to even get online. Where will those people find important information about their local area?
The reduction in local news provision really matters, particularly as the country pursues a devolution agenda with increasing powers for regional mayors, Police and Crime Commissioners and local government. Without an effective and engaged local press, who will hold these offices to account? The days of reporters regularly attending local council meetings have long gone and we have even heard alarming reports of councillors being so surprised when a reporter has turned up at one of their public meetings that they have tried to ban them from attending!
We recently took evidence on local news provision from The Manchester Mill, who provide an online subscription-based news offer in Manchester and other cities. This is an interesting approach, but can it work outside of the large metropolitan areas which have a high population density and level of affluence to support it? What happens to news provision in smaller towns and rural areas – often the places where there is already the most dissatisfaction with the focus and priorities of the national media?
There is clearly a role for the BBC as our national broadcaster here. BBC local radio has a tradition of understanding the communities it serves and bringing their concerns to wider political attention. It was disappointing therefore to hear that the BBC plans to cut funding for local radio while investing more in online news websites and entertainment radio channels.
Once again those without the access or skills to use the internet are being cut off from vital news about their local area. The BBC aspires to serve everyone, and rightly sees one of its roles as bringing people together. That’s what local radio does when it’s done well. It’s why the BBC must prioritise investment in its local news network through traditional media: it’s where the BBC can make a real difference. Similarly, the announcement of new BBC radio channels focusing on music with no news provision at all seems to display a focus on chasing audiences rather than playing a role in building cohesive and informed communities.
Local news is important and needs proper care and attention. The Communications and Digital Select Committee, which I have the privilege to chair, is currently considering this as part of a wider inquiry on the future of the news. We will report before the summer and will set out recommendations to help ensure local news has a bright future to match its proud history.
Baroness Stowell, Conservative peer and chair of the Communications and Digital Committee
PoliticsHome Newsletters
Get the inside track on what MPs and Peers are talking about. Sign up to The House's morning email for the latest insight and reaction from Parliamentarians, policy-makers and organisations.
