UK communities to benefit from public funding for high quality and trustworthy local journalism

Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary of the UK government today (Tuesday, March 17) announced a local media strategy with up to £12m funding for local media’s digital innovation and for community radio.

The announcement includes:

• Campaigns to promote ‘Newspapers for Schools’ and encourage young people into journalism careers
• West of England to pilot improving reporting on local decision-making and

Speaking at the Society of Editors Future of News Conference, the Culture Secretary said the Local Media Strategy will back the essential role of local media in communities all over the UK.

She said: ‘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.’

She added: ‘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.’

Other measures in the strategy include a campaign in schools in North West England to inspire young people from all backgrounds to pursue local media careers, and a commitment to guarantee digital access to a wide range of local and national news in all state schools in England.

Chief Executive of the Society of Editors, 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.’

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.

Meredith commented: ‘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.’

Local media outlets in print, online, radio or TV will be able to bid for grants to support their financial sustainability and transition to online-focussed business models under a new multi-year Local News Fund worth up to £12m over the next two years.’