Balls asks councils not to undermine local papers

The MP was asked by the Newspaper Society for his views on a proposed regulatory change allowing the removal of statutory notices from local papers. These items, such as planning notices, are a significant source of income for local papers.

The group also questioned moves by local authorities, which it said were 'increasingly seeking to supplant the role of local newspapers by producing publications and websites offering ‘independent’ local news and competing head-to-head with local media companies for third party advertising revenues.'

 

The Society warned that in some areas, such moves could result in a council publication becoming the only source of local news and posing  a threat to democracy.

Mr Balls responded: 'It is vital for the identity and aspirations of these communities that local newspapers are strong and flourish…While there are clear competition rules about what public and private sectors can do, I think any local area which is making decisions which are undermining, actively, local newspapers, I think that would be a retrograde thing to do.'

 

'The strong message from the centre of government is that all ministers should make sure they’re doing everything they can to support regional media,' which is 'well-read and trusted…and provides a vital service,' Mr Balls said.

 

Local newspapers were 'the most trusted source of advice and information on what’s going on in local communities,' he added. 

 

Recently, Margaret Beckett responded to concerns over the recommendation from the Killian Pretty Review to remove the mandatory requirement for local authorities to publish planning statutory notices in newspapers.

'The government will not make changes to the planning process, which would leave local people in the dark over proposals that affect them. Indeed, the government wants to increase community participation in planning decisions,' she said.