PM hails local media for the underpinning of democratic values

PRIME Minister Theresa May last night praised the role of local and regional journalism in keeping politicians grounded in the real world beyond the “Westminster bubble”.

She was speaking at a reception for reporters from the UK’s nations and regions which was held at No 10 Downing Street yesterday.

“I know from the discussions I have with my own local paper the significant pressures that are on regional and local Press at the moment,” Mrs May told her audience.

“Nowhere is this more true than in print journalism, where the rapid changes in consumer behaviour and technology have led to falling circulations and advertising revenues.

“As we know, a quarter of local papers have closed in the past decade. That is why we launched the Cairncross Review, to examine what more we can do to improve the long-term sustainability of high quality journalism, because it is that high quality

Praise: PM Theresa May

journalism, at a local and regional level, that is so important in underpinning our democracy.”

Led by former economic journalist Dame Frances Cairncross, the high-powered review body has been tasked with investigating the overall state of the market for news, threats to financial sustainability, the role and impact of digital search engines and social media platforms, how content and data flows are operated and managed and the role of digital advertising.

The Prime Minister also praised the role of the local me- dia — and the local Press in particular — in nourishing democratic accountability thoughout the UK, saying that when trusted local news comes under threat, democracy suffers as a consequence

“As a Member of Parliament, I have often seen that it is regional and local media which is a trusted source of news for millions of citizens,” she added.

“It keeps all politicians alive to what really matters beyond the Westminster bubble — understanding what is happening out there is so important for us all.

“Of course, we see it in our own constituencies, but getting that wider reflection of what happens is important.

“When that trusted local news comes under threat, then I think democracy suffers and people become ever more vulnerable to disinformation.

“So this is our local press, it is your profession, it is imperative that we work together to ensure it has a very good and viable future.”

The Cairncross Review is expected to publish its report in the new year.