Local news crisis: help us regenerate independent local news 

Big tech greed, corporate takeovers and declining advertising revenues mean that Britain’s independent local news providers are facing a tough battle to get trustworthy information into the hands of communities. 

Misinformation is on the rise. In the hardest-hit areas, disinformation is stoking up tension and riots are breaking out. Networks are being manipulated. Convincing, AI-generated deepfakes are fooling even the most sceptical users.  

People need reliable information and shared understandings to participate meaningfully in their community. And yet, the local news crisis in the UK has left over 4 million Brits living in news deserts – areas that are entirely without quality local journalism.  

No news is bad news. Something needs to change.  

Local people deserve reliable information that speaks to them, for them and with them. They need news providers that live in their communities and walk alongside them, that speak truth to power, celebrate local heroes and shine a light on local issues. 

Across the country, a dedicated movement of independent journalists is holding power to account, strengthening pride in place and supporting people to take part in their communities. 

But more than ever, local news outlets need our support. They are fighting to keep local news alive. 

We need politicians to step up to the challenge of regenerating local news, so that indie news providers can continue getting information to the people who need it most for generations to come. 

We ASPIRE for better news: local news that is Accountable, Sustainable, in the Public interest, Innovative, Representative and Engaging (‘ASPIRE’). 

That’s why the Local News commission, supported by the Public Interest News Foundation, has come up with a plan to solve the local news crisis by 2035, by calling on the government to support six recommendations: 

1. A Local News Stimulation Fund of £15m for the next 10 years to help local news make the digital transition. 
2. Incentives for philanthropists, big tech and members of the public to support local news. 
3. A workforce plan to ensure that journalists are drawn from all backgrounds and equipped to serve their communities. 
4. A fair deal for local news providers using the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act to level the playing field with big tech 
5. A new deal between local government and local news in which local communities are informed and empowered 
6. A new relationship between the BBC and local news at Charter Renewal in 2027 building on the Local Democracy Reporting Service. 

Sign the Public Interest News Foundation’s petition to call on the government to ensure a bright future for local news for generations to come: https://chng.it/tzx2J5qDXW  

About the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) 

PINF is the UK’s first and only charity helping indie news thrive. PINF’s advocacy and research is shaped by our network of over 100 local, independent, public interest news providers from all corners of the UK: from Devon to Shetland, Newry to Caerphilly. As an independent charity, PINF is not dependent on the government or the legacy news industry for support. We are funded by generous individual donors, companies, trusts and foundations, giving us the freedom to form our own vision of the future. 

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