By Beckie Shuker, Public Interest News Foundation (PINF)
Big tech greed, corporate takeovers and declining advertising revenues mean
Britain’s independent local news providers – like West Leeds Dispatch – 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.
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:
- A Local News Stimulation Fund of £15m for the next 10 years to help local
news make the digital transition. - Incentives for philanthropists, big tech and members of the public to support
local news. - A workforce plan to ensure that journalists are drawn from all backgrounds
and equipped to serve their communities. - A fair deal for local news providers using the new Digital Markets, Competition
and Consumers Act to level the playing field with big tech. - A new deal between local government and local news in which local
communities are informed and empowered. - A new relationship between the BBC and local news at Charter Renewal in
2027 building on the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The Public Interest News Foundation is the UK’s first charity to support public interest news – ethical and impartial journalism that informs and empowers the public about the things that matter to all of us.
Indie News Week
In June 2024, PINF launched the UK’s first awareness-raising and crowdfunding campaign for independent news, with the slogan No News is Bad News. Indie News Week is currently running again for a second year.
30 outlets have registered to be part of the second annual indie news campaign to raise critical funds and awareness of local news among audiences across the UK.
More than 20 events are taking place in all four nations of the UK, from open newsrooms to panel discussions, podcasting panels and guided walks. Despite being busier than ever, journalists are throwing open the newsroom doors to let in local communities.
Join WLD at a community quiz night at Truly Scrummy on Horsforth Town Street this evening (Tuesday, 10 May 2025) at 7pm for a 7.30pm quiz start.
And on Thursday (12 June 2025) from 4pm to 7pm we’ll be throwing open the doors of our community newsroom at Bramley Lawn Social Centre, off Rossefield Lawn, Bramley where you can meet the WLD team and find out more about us over a friendly cuppa and some cake.
We’re also running a community mapping exercise, which will see us mapping community venues, groups and activities for each of the seven council wards we cover.
More details of WLD’s events here.
WLD’s latest print edition is out now. You can pick up copies from these collection points.
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