PM: We must sustain press to protect our democracy
THERESA May has warned that the impact of technological change on newspapers is a “danger to democracy”.
The Prime Minister yesterday said the free press was a “huge force for good” and vowed to carry out a major review into its sustainability.
She said: “Over 200 local papers have closed since 2005. This is dangerous for our democracy. When trusted and credible news sources decline, we can become vulnerable to news which is untrustworthy.” Mrs May said the review will consider whether newspapers get their “fair share” of digital advertising revenue from online giants, such as Google and Facebook, and recommend whether “industry or Government-led solutions” can help. The PM added: “A free press is one of the foundations on which our democracy is built, and it must be preserved.”