Local papers ‘at risk of becoming old news’

Ministers have been warned that local journalism will struggle to survive without new support and fresh thinking from the Government.

The digital,culture, media and sport committee found that, while some small publishers have adapted to the challenges of declining advertising revenue and the shift to a largely online readership over the past two decades, the position of many papers remains precarious.

MPS have called on the Government to consider making it easier for local news organisations to achieve charitable status, as well as encouraging more philanthropic donations to publishers.