NUJ condemns Tory local media policy

The NUJ today condemned the new Conservative Party policy on local media claiming it would do nothing to solve the problems facing quality journalism.
The Conservative Party is supporting the relaxation of media ownership regulations - a move which regional publishers have been campaigning for.
But NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said: “This looks like a policy that has been rushed out in response to calls by media owners who are simply looking to make even more cuts to our already limping local press.
“These plans fail to deal with the problems facing local journalists. Consolidation of media ownership has meant office and title closures; it has meant journalists taken out of their communities, fundamentally undermining their ability to do their jobs well. The Conservative response to these problems seems to be more of the same, which will do nothing to help quality journalism.
“Where are the big ideas? We need our politicians to come up with proposals for how local journalism can be saved - not surrendered to big business interests who have taken multi-million pound profits whilst cutting back on quality journalism.
“The Conservatives might see media regulation as burdensome red tape - but it is what ensures people have access to varied media and different voices. To throw that protection away in response to business demands without any plans to secure improvement in journalism is foolhardy and an insult to our local communities.”