This week – 9th-16th June – is Indie News Week, showcasing the importance of funding community-based journalism across the UK. The campaign’s organisers, the Public Interest News Foundation, has launched a petition calling on the government to support independent local news publishers and even up the playing field between independent local publishers and the large news corporations that own most of the UK’s local news titles.
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 understanding 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. Meanwhile, in cities and towns like Portsmouth, the challenges facing the businesses that own most local news titles mean that the both the quality and quantity of local news has massively declined.
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:
- 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.
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.
This week – 9th-16th June – is Indie News Week, showcasing the importance of funding community-based journalism across the UK.
Big Tech greed and corporate takeovers are strangling local news, and independent community news providers that bring you the news you need are struggling to keep the lights on.
Star & Crescent is run by the community, for the community, and we need your help.
Choose local news. Don’t lose local news.
Get involved!
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Share our articles and social media posts about the local news crisis on Facebook and X (the platform formerly known as Twitter)
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Sign and share PINF’s petition calling on the UK government to support local news providers to regenerate local news
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Donate to us and help us to bring more news to you every week
