Beware the global tech behemoths devouring the idea of local news

Legacy media organisations give their audiences authoritative reporting

- Chris Blackhurst

Well, it’s been a long time coming. The House of Lords has finally woken up to what has been apparent for years, that swathes of the population have limited access to professionally produced news.

Peers on the Communications and Digital Committee have opined that a “two-tier” media environment is likely, with some people well served with a variety of outlets and subscriptions, and others not. The chair, Baroness Stowell, writes: “We have deepening concerns about the road ahead. Trust is low and news avoidance is rising. Local news deserts have grown. Generative AI will upend news publishers’ business models. We envisage a few big winners and losers.”

Having made the observation on something that has been with us for some time, she says: “We need to adapt. The public service broadcasters and the BBC in particular are an important ‘anchor’. They must properly engage audiences by understanding and reflecting different priorities and perspectives with due respect. Otherwise, broadcasters will drift into irrelevance.”

The Government, Stowell says, can “help the media survive this period of turbulence”. The copyright system should be fixed so that news outlets can “strike fair deals with tech firms”.

First, it’s more than a bit of uncomfortable travel with nobody hurt. It’s not a case of fastening seatbelts — it’s a full-on, free-fall plunge with many casualties.

Second, what’s in it for the multinational digital behemoths? They’ve got their own, growing news operations; they’ve no need to entertain lesser rivals.

What’s required is an understanding of the state our media is in. There are places and folk all over Britain devoid of credible, objective news.

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