The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has this week launched an inquiry into the challenges facing local news.
Titled the ‘Sustainability of Local Journalism’, the inquiry will welcome evidence until 31st March and intends to examine the operation of the market for local journalism and how competition from social media and public service broadcasters affect news outlets.
MPs will also consider the impact of the findings of the Cairncross Review with particular relevance to ensuring the continued and the long-term supply of local journalism.
DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight MP (pictured) said: “It is clear that the market for local news journalism has shifted considerably over the past two decades. The need to know what is going on in your area is as great as it ever has been, arguably greater, but there is a very real challenge in how to deliver that.
“Local news organisations increasingly face competition from social media despite moving their own titles online.
“How can we maintain and protect the type of journalism that reports what your council is doing, coverage that is essential to local democracy?
“We’re asking what more needs to be done to make local news journalism sustainable and what form that support should take.”
The terms of reference for the committee and call for evidence can be found here.
