UK devolution risks failure without local media funding, publishers warn
Publishers warn that the UK’s plan to shift power from Westminster to local authorities will lack accountability unless the government addresses the financial collapse of regional journalism.
The UK government is preparing a massive transfer of power to local mayors and councils, but publishers warn the strategy is flawed because it ignores the financial collapse of regional journalism. Shifting budgets to regional authorities creates a major accountability gap if the newsrooms meant to police that spending go bankrupt.
Theo Bamber, chief executive of the News Media Association, noted that 46 million people a month still consume local media, providing a vital counter to recent misinformation in Southampton and Belfast. Yet, he criticised the government for siloing media policy from its devolution agenda. “Ultimately, the success of devolution is dependent on scrutiny,” Bamber said.
The economics of the sector remain precarious. Laura Davison, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, pointed out that roughly 300 local papers have closed since 2005, leaving millions in “news deserts”. She warned that keeping local news alive cannot be left to the “vagaries of the market”, a sentiment echoed by Labour MP John McDonnell, who stressed that holding local decision-makers to account requires resourcing.
Earlier this year, the government announced a £12m fund over two years to help local outlets transition to digital models. However, Sarah Lester, editor of the Manchester Evening News, said this falls short of addressing how big tech platforms downgrade local news. She pointed to her title’s award-winning investigations, such as the push for Awaab’s Law, as evidence of the sector’s value. “Ultimately, we don’t want hand outs. We want a level playing field,” Lester said.
The crisis is compounded by political friction and changing media consumption. A Reform UK council leader recently banned members from speaking to a local newspaper, while senior politicians have increasingly favoured influencers over traditional press conferences.
Mike Harris, publisher of the Lead, noted the immense difficulty of building sustainable business models in working-class areas. “With the spread of extremist online content, often seeded by foreign dictatorships or far-right grifters, we risk losing the battle for truth unless news, which is expensive to do well, is supported,” Harris said.
