NMA responds to Ofcom's local media review

In response to Ofcom’s review of local media in the UK, News Media Association chief executive Owen Meredith said yesterday:

"In its report today, Ofcom has rightly recognised the vital role local news media plays in “the social fabric of the UK,” underlining its role in fostering local democracy and promoting democratic engagement, as well as highlighting the industry’s efforts to innovate and adapt to the evolving media landscape.

“Their acknowledgement that Google and Facebook play a significant role in the “news value chain” further emphasises the necessity for Big Tech to engage in negotiations for fair compensation for the use of local news content, allowing publishers to continue investing in high-quality local journalism - and again, showing why the CMA and the new government must move quickly to implement the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act.

“However, Ofcom’s report fails to recognise the scale of impact of the BBC’s online news offer, which directly competes with commercial publishers. Ofcom must go further in tackling the BBC's dominance in online news, by encouraging the BBC to collaborate with the local media sector, placing firm guardrails on the scope of their online news services to establish a clear remit and ensure that any future plans do not further undermine the opportunity for commercial news publishers to adequately monetise journalism online.

“This is an interim report, and we look forward to engaging with Ofcom as they continue to gather evidence and draw conclusions for their final report in the autumn. By using their powers, Ofcom must put appropriate constraints on the size and scale of BBC’s news websites, and in doing so, strengthen the local media landscape and ensure the continued provision of high-quality news and information to local communities across the country.”