NUJ: Eight point plan to save local media

The NUJ has today published an eight-point plan to reinvigorate local journalism and has written to new Culture and Media Secretary Ben Bradshaw to urge him to back it.
The"Economic Stimulus Plan for local journalism" is a proposed package of measures that the union claims would boost editorial investment, strengthen local journalism and provide the stimulus needed to launch new local media models.
The plan calls for:
The reform of cross-media ownership rules with a strengthened public interest test.
A hard and fast commitment to ring-fence licence fee funding for the BBC.
A levy introduced on commercial operators who benefit from quality public service content - including local news - but do not contribute to its production.
Tax breaks for local media who meet clearly defined public purposes.
Tax credits for individuals who buy quality media.
Direct support to help establish new genuinely local media organisations.
Strategic use of central and local government advertising.
Support for training opportunities that open access to journalism.
The plan comes as the UK government is finalising its Digital Britain report.
In his letter to the new Culture Secretary, NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear (pictured) said: “There are many options open to government and no single solution but every decision - from media ownership rules to strategic use of government advertising, from training to the funding of public service broadcasting - must have as a benchmark how it helps to promote quality journalism.”
He has also called for face-to-face talks about the cutbacks hitting jobs in newsrooms.
Bradshaw worked as a journalist in the regional press and for the BBC before entering Parliament.
Read the plan
Pic: Jon Slattery