PM gives backing to local press campaign

PRIME Minister Theresa May has given her backing to the local press industry’s Fighting Fake News campaign.

The Prime Minister warned of the dangers of fake news distributed on social media and gave her strong support to a free press which underpins democracy by investing in highly trusted journalism.

Mrs May said: ‘We need to be very wary of this concept of fake news. We have got a situation with social media and different outlets where anybody can put something on a social media site as if it’s real without anybody checking.

‘People need to recognise that you can’t trust everything you see on social media. We know newspapers have a responsibility that they take seriously in terms of what they are reporting. A free press is very important, it underpins our democracy.

‘It’s also important for [ politicians] to make sure the statements we make are upfront and transparent for people.’

The Prime Minister was speaking as the local press industry runs the Fighting Fake News campaign to highlight the importance of trusted local media journalism in the run up to the general election.

The campaign is co- ordinated by Local Media Works, the local marketing arm of the News Media Association, and comes in the run up to this Local Newspaper Week which began on May 15.