As reported by the Newspaper Society: Writing on his blog this week Northern Echo editor Peter Barron said: “The truth is that the BBC doesn’t cover local news in the depth that local newspapers do. The corporation doesn’t have the resources at the grass roots, but it’s right to establish some parameters on how far the tentacles of the BBC monster should be allowed to stretch.
“There are definite opportunities for the BBC and local papers to work together and David Dimbleby’s stimulation of the debate is to be welcomed.
“It is my sincere belief that local newspapers, which have been entrenched in communities for generations, are fundamental to democracy. It is vital that as many as possible survive the severe economic challenges that they are facing.
“So the growth of a free local news service on BBC websites, subsidised by the compulsory licence fee, is unfair competition. Room needs to be left in the marketplace for trusted local papers, operating as businesses, and employing local people.”
David Higgerson, Trinity Mirror digital publishing director, wrote a blog post entitled ‘Is the BBC a threat to the Press? 5 ways it could be a better neighbour’. He wrote: “There is a lot the BBC could do to help the local press. And why should it? Bluntly because local media still sets the agenda, uncovers more stories, attends more events and, as a result, provides a very valuable service to the BBC – ready-made leads which enable them to cover wide regions with very few staff.
“To me, the BBC is a threat, not because of the volume of content it provides, but the disregard it often treats the local Press with.”
David outlined five ways the BBC could “be a better neighbour” to the regional press: BBC News following BBC Sport’s lead in linking to news stories; linking to local media news stories rather than content feeds of national news; not going overboard on press “doom and gloom” stories; using local media journalists for in depth analysis on stories and sharing the video report with local press; and naming local newspapers when they are sources for stories.
Home Secretary Theresa May used the keynote address at the Society of Editors annual conference earlier this month to attack the BBC for its negative impact upon local newspapers through its provision of local news through websites funded by the licence fee.
