Review of UK press amid uncertainty over outlook

Prime Minister Theresa May has launched a review of press sustainability, amid the growing influence of online platforms such as Facebook and Google.

In a speech in Manchester, May described the free press as “one of the foundations on which our democracy is built”, declaring that it “must be preserved”.

She said the closure of hundreds of titles across the UK in recent years was “dangerous for our democracy” because of the risk that voters will turn to “untrustworthy” sources for the information on which to form their views.

May said: “Good quality journalism provides us with the information and analysis we need to inform our viewpoints and conduct a genuine discussion. It is a huge force for good.

“When trusted and credible news sources decline, we can become vulnerable to news which is untrustworthy.”

The new review will look at the sustainability of the UK’S national, regional and local press, said May, and a final report is expected early next year.