Sustainability of local journalism

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 14 Feb 2022 Closed: 24 May 2023 Parliament page
The DCMS Committee will examine what challenges face local news organisations and what support should be put in place in order to maintain their democratic function. The Sustainability of Local Journalism inquiry will consider the operation of the market for local journalism and how that is affected by increasing competition … Read more
7 Recommendations
2 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Oral sessions
1 Letter
4 Events
Activity timeline 11 events
17 May
2023
Report published
25 Jan
2023
Report published
25 Oct
2022
Correspondence
18 Oct
2022
Oral evidence
18 Oct
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
7 Jul
2022
Oral evidence
7 Jul
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
28 Jun
2022
Oral evidence
28 Jun
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Culture
17 May
2022
Oral evidence
17 May
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
18 Oct 2022
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Julia Lopez MP · Department for Culture, Media and Sport Robert Specterman-Green · Department for Culture, Media and Sport
7 Jul 2022
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David Floyd · Social Spider CIC George Brock · Charitable Journalism Project Karl Hancock · Nub News Maria Breslin · Liverpool Echo Matt Abbott · Independent Community News Network Polly Perkins · Burngreave Messenger
28 Jun 2022
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David Higgerson · Reach plc John Severinson · Meta Paul Hutchinson · Bedford Independent Professor Natalie Fenton · Media Reform Coalition Rhodri Talfan Davies · BBC Tom Morrison-Bell · Google
17 May 2022
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Adam Cantwell-Corn · The Bristol Cable David Powell · Local TV Network Jonathan Heawood · Public Interest News Foundation Martin Steers · UK Community Radio Network Michelle Stanistreet · National Union of Journalists Owen Meredith · News Media Association
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh Report - Sustainability of local journalism HC 153 25 Jan 2023 9 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Seventh Report - Sustainability of…
Despite the collapse in revenues and the immense challenges facing those titles remaining in the...
Despite the collapse in revenues and the immense challenges facing those titles remaining in the market, there are many encouraging examples of innovation by local news publishers. These demonstrate that, provided the right support is given, the sector can be … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the BBC’s commitment to continue to support the LDRS until at least 2027, and makes clear its support for the scheme. Operational decisions are for the BBC to make.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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2 Conclusion Acknowledged
Seventh Report - Sustainability of…
The LDRS has had a positive impact on local journalism by enabling important local news...
The LDRS has had a positive impact on local journalism by enabling important local news stories to get coverage where otherwise they might not. But more could be done to expand the service across different media platforms and to give … Read more
Government Response
The government welcomes the BBC's commitment to support the LDRS until at least 2027 and would support efforts by the BBC to grow the scheme, but operational decisions are for the BBC to make.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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3 Recommendation Acknowledged
Seventh Report - Sustainability of…
The Government’s response to the Cairncross Review recommendation to set up an innovation fund for...
The Government’s response to the Cairncross Review recommendation to set up an innovation fund for public interest news was welcome. But the Future News Pilot Fund was neither substantial nor long-term enough to make a significant difference, and there has … Read more
Government Response
The government continues to explore options for additional fiscal measures to support the sector, while mindful of the current financial climate. Any further funding would build on the model set by the Future News Fund and take into account Nesta’s evaluation, as well as feedback from the local press and other interested stakeholders.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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5 Recommendation Acknowledged
Seventh Report - Sustainability of…
We recognise that consolidation within the local news industry has ensured the survival of titles...
We recognise that consolidation within the local news industry has ensured the survival of titles that otherwise would have closed. But we are concerned that some of the approaches of the largest publishers appear to be compromising the quality the … Read more
Government Response
The government discussed the Committee’s recommendation with the Charity Commission and notes that there is limited evidence of widespread appetite among publishers for seeking charitable status. The Charity Commission will continue to monitor this area in line with its usual approach to issues and take action as appropriate.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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8 Recommendation Acknowledged
Seventh Report - Sustainability of…
We echo the concern expressed by colleagues across the House and beyond about the BBC’s...
We echo the concern expressed by colleagues across the House and beyond about the BBC’s proposed changes to local radio provision. Sharing content across larger areas and regions risks undermining the sense of localness that has, until now, made BBC … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the concerns and states they will continue to explore ways for the BBC to best serve its audiences as part of a collective where appropriate, but does not commit to reconsidering the BBC's plans.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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9 Recommendation Acknowledged
Seventh Report - Sustainability of…
We are glad that the Government appears to be expediting the introduction of the Digital...
We are glad that the Government appears to be expediting the introduction of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill, which will be vital to redressing the unbalanced relationship between the large digital platforms and local news publishers (among many … Read more
Government Response
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill was introduced to Parliament on Tuesday 25 April 2023, giving new powers to the Digital Markets Unit (DMU) in the CMA to help rebalance the relationship between major platforms and the consumers and businesses who rely on them, including press publishers, and will consider whether the firm has substantial and entrenched market power and holds a position of strategic significance in respect of one or more digital activities.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
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Government Response AI assessment · 9 of 7 classified
Accepted 1
Acknowledged 6
Deferred 1
Rejected 1
Total 7 recs + 2 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
25 Oct 2022 To committee Letter from Julia Lopez MP, Minister of State for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure, relating to local journalism oral evidence follow up, 24 October 2022
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