Reith, not wreath

7 September 2015 By George Hay Follow @gfhay

The UK’s world-renowned broadcaster may use its state funding to help local newspaper groups report public-interest news. Dry coverage of municipal minutiae won’t reinvigorate the media sector. But using the state-backed BBC to ease an apparent case of market failure makes sense.

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The BBC proposed on Sept. 7 to put in place a network of 100 public service reporters across the United Kingdom, funded by the licence fee paid by UK citizens.

The journalists would report on councils, courts and public services in towns and cities. Their reporting would be available to the BBC but also to “reputable” news organisations. While the service would have to reflect the public broadcaster’s impartial values, any news organisation could compete to win the contract to provide the reporting team for each area.

The News Media Association, which represents local journalist company interests, welcomed the BBC’s recognition of the need to “cooperate and not colonise”.

However, it also said the move could mean BBC expansion into local news provision and recruitment of more BBC local journalists through the back door.

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