PARLIAMENT’s back benchers will debate the future of local newspapers in Westminster next week. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for local newspapers to encourage their local MPs to attend the debate and ‘argue for their local paper’.
In a letter to local journals the NUJ state the case that cuts to jobs and closures to local newspapers have resulted in a loss of 5,000 editorial roles in local and regional press. The union state clearly that they see this as a threat to local democracy, as local politicians are then not being held to account and voters, as a result, are not being given a range of views, resulting in a deprivation of information required to make informed judgements when voting in elections.
They go on to say that, ‘digital newsrooms are transforming the way journalists are expected to work. Despite taking on many changes, journalists have not seen their pay improve and are experiencing heavy workloads because they are expected to bring in stories, cover events, produce videos and podcasts and use social media’.
A spokesperson for the NUJ said: “Local newspapers and their websites are the most trusted form of the media, read by more than 30 million people each week. Readers expect their local newspaper to be their watchdog, keeping tabs on the decisions made by local politicians, defending local services, supporting the local football team and giving a voice to the community.”
As a result the NUJ have called for: A short, sharp national inquiry into the state of local news; local papers to become community assets to prevent newspaper titles closing overnight and to give potential new owners, including local co-operatives, the time to put together a bid for the paper; action to stem the job cuts and attacks on quality journalism and research into new models for local journalism, levies, tax breaks and other measures to fund community journalism.
Nia Griffith, Labour MP for Llanelli, told The Herald: “Local newspapers make a very valuable contribution to our communities and are a vital part of our democracy. They keep people informed of what is happening in their locality and provide an excellent means for people from all sections of the community to have a voice. Good local reporters keep our local public bodies on their toes, asking pertinent questions about how they are spending our money, and making sure they know what local people think of them. I for one certainly value our local papers, even when they take me to task – that’s part and parcel of their role!”
Member of Parliament for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Simon Hart, also stated: “Our local papers in this area have always provided high quality information and news coverage and have adapted incredibly well to changing technology, as well as the evolving tastes and requirements of readers. Being married to a former local news journalist I am always keen to support our local papers and respect their independence.”
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