NMA: BBC Should Abandon ‘Across The UK’ Local News Plans And Instead Invest In Local News Partnership

The Local News Partnership should be expanded to increase the partnership’s output of local public interest journalism which has delivered so much value for communities across the UK, the News Media Association said today.

Speaking at an event in MediaCity, NMA chief executive Owen Meredith said the BBC’s plans detailed in ‘Across the UK’ to beef up its own local news services should be shelved because the proposals risk putting hard pressed commercial local news media titles out of business.  

Instead, the BBC should work with the commercial news media sector to expand the hugely successful LNP, which has delivered a “shot in the arm” for local public interest journalism, Mr Meredith said at the annual Local Democracy Reporting Service conference and awards.

“At the heart of the partnership and undoubtedly its greatest success has been you, the Local Democracy Reporters, whose enormous contribution we are here today to celebrate,” Mr Meredith told an audience of around 100 Local Democracy Reporters.

“Your work underpins democracy in communities up and down the UK and that’s immensely valuable for us all,” he added.   

Mr Meredith’s words this morning follow a speech by Tim Davie in which the BBC Director-General reaffirmed the BBC’s commitment to the “crucially important partnership” through to at least 2027.

Mr Meredith said: “The Director-General just spoke of how proud the BBC is of your achievements and, on behalf of the commercial news media sector – who we at the NMA represent – I wholeheartedly echo those sentiments and thank you for your work.”

Since it was launched, the partnership between the NMA and the BBC has seen nearly a quarter of a million local public interest stories delivered to the public through highly trusted local news media platforms with content now reaching between eight and 10 million people every week. 

Earlier this week, the NMA welcomed Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries’ comments saying that she supports further expansion of the scheme which the NMA believes could make an even more significant contribution to local journalism than it does currently. 

New figures from JICREG Life Is Local show that audiences have rocketed for the commercial local news media sector over the past year with online audiences increasing by nearly a fifth in just 12 months. Local media now reaches 42 million people a month in print and online. 

“Given this, and the success of the Local News Partnership, – and I’m sure Tim will forgive me for using his stage to rehearse the point – you can imagine the dismay when the BBC announced its ‘Across the UK’ plans with proposals to beef up its own local news services in direct competition with independent commercial providers,” Mr Meredith said.

“If the BBC were to go ahead with these plans, it would not only place in jeopardy all the good that has been accomplished by the Local News Partnership, but it would pose a direct threat to local news titles, who are so vital to a healthy and vibrant democracy.

“So, I hope the BBC will have a rethink on those plans, and remember the enormous value that has been created through genuine partnership and collaboration – embodied by the Local News Partnership – which is what we are here today to celebrate.

“Let’s work together to continue and expand that partnership and ensure a truly vibrant and plural news eco-system fit for the digital age.”