A QUICK trawl through the pages of The Press from the last week or so is enough to give you a sense of why local newspapers matter.
There was the sensational story about both Andrew Waller and Steve Galloway losing their seats as the Lib Dems suffered meltdown in the local elections.
We carried a detailed analysis of what the death of Osama bin Laden would mean for the fight against terror, and we had our own coverage of the royal wedding, and of the experiences of local people who went down to London for the day.
But what really makes your local newspaper matter is the local news we carry on the inside pages – inspirational stories such as that of young soldier Sam Tudor, who after a difficult life in foster care went on to win an award for best student on a five-month army training course; a story about a father’s anger at an increase in bus fares; the tale of a lorry driver who shed a third of his weight after reading the inspiring story of another super slimmer... in The Press.
It is these kinds of story that are the bread and butter of local newspaper life.
They are stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things – and between them they add up to an unrivalled picture of life in a city like York.
Then there are all the other things a local newspaper like The Press does – putting politicians on the spot, bringing matters of concern out into the open, giving readers a platform to express their own opinions.
The media world is changing, with the arrival of 24-hour rolling news on the TV and internet.
But only your local newspaper has the resources to cover in depth everything that goes on in a city like York.
That is why local newspapers are worth shouting about and why Local Newspaper Week is worth celebrating.
Local newspaper facts
• There are 1,200 regional and local newspapers and 1,400 associated websites in the UK • The local press is the UK’s most popular print medium, read by 38 million people a week.
• Thirty four million unique users rely on their local newspaper websites every month.
• More than 70 per cent of people act on the advertisements in local newspapers • Local media employ more than 30,000 people including 10,000 journalists.
• Eighty-five per cent of local newspaper readers in Britain say it is important their local paper keeps them informed about local council issues • Newspaper (30 per cent) and TV advertising (56 per cent) have more impact upon consumers than magazines (17 per cent), radio 15 (per cent), and billboards (15 per cent).
• Local press is the most effective media channel for generating word of mouth conversations.
Prime Minister David Cameron backs Local Newspaper Week
"For decades, local newspapers have faced fierce competition. First there was the radio, then television, now of course, the internet. But despite all these challenges, they continue to play a vital role and that’s testament to the extraordinary creativity and versatility of all those people who work in local media.
Local newspapers are hugely important to our country – for two good reasons.
First, they strengthen our democracy, holding the powerful to account. Whereas national newspapers can focus on the bigger picture, it’s local papers that often really analyse the detail of what central and local government is doing and the impact their policies have on the ground. In the weeks and months ahead, I expect local papers to continue to scrutinise everything this government does in their area and act as a voice for their readers.
Second, local papers are hugely important in helping to build a bigger, stronger society. There is a massive gap between the state on the one hand, and the individual on the other, and local papers help fill the space in between, galvanising readers into action. That could be by campaigning on local issues, highlighting local clubs, groups, businesses and societies and encouraging people to get involved, or championing local people who are playing their part to make their community a better place. By shining a spotlight on this good work, local papers persuade others to do more - and I want to see more of it.
That’s why I would like to take this opportunity, as we celebrate Local Newspaper Week, to ask local newspapers and you, their readers, to show off even more of the great work taking place in your community and nominate your local heroes for the Government’s Big Society Awards.
There have been 16 winners to date, recognising the remarkable work going on in towns and cities up and down the country, by all kinds of organisations from large enterprises to tiny grassroots schemes and inspirational individuals. This week, I am hosting a reception for the first round of award winners in Downing Street. I hope that in the months ahead I’ll be able to meet and hear about many more of the people making such a valuable contribution to their community.”
Regional press worth celebrating
NEWS has changed enormously over the last decade. The internet, the iPad, Twitter and rolling 24-hour news bulletins mean we expect to be fed a constant diet of up-to-the-minute information. We want to know what’s happening everywhere, and we want to know now.
In this age of instant communication, can there still be a role for the old-fashioned local newspaper?
Yes, there can, and for several very good reasons. In an article in The Press to mark Local Newspaper Week this week, Prime Minister David Cameron points to two of those reasons. First, local newspapers strengthen local democracy, by holding the powerful to account. He points out: “Whereas national newspapers can focus on the bigger picture, it’s local papers that often really analyse the detail of what central and local government is doing and the impact their policies have.”
But local newspapers are also vital in helping to build his vaunted Big Society. “They campaign on local issues, highlight the activities of local clubs, groups and businesses, and champion those who get involved to make their communities better,” Mr Cameron says.
Papers like The Press do all of that and more. We try to reflect the lives of our readers. And, through our letters pages, we give the people of York and North Yorkshire a voice.
The Press is changing, too. Our internet audience is growing fast, and we use Twitter and Facebook to update readers throughout the day on the latest breaking news. But the basics of what we do – quality local journalism, focusing on what matters to you, our readers – hasn’t changed. And that is surely worth celebrating.
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