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SOLIHULL MP CALLS FOR ACTION TO HELP LOCAL NEWSPAPERS SURVIVE

January 20, 2009 3:32 PM

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt today called for help for local newspapers during a Westminster debate amidst growing fears for the future of the local newspaper industry.

Mrs Burt said the BBC should work collaboratively with local newspaper journalists on local news websites to help preserve community news reporting; using local reporters to deliver high quality coverage on the ground.

"Local newspapers are the bedrock for community news and an essential training ground for budding journalists.

"Too many titles around the country are going to the wall, and with the current financial crisis squeezing classified advertising revenue and circulation figures further still, many more could be forced to close in the coming months.

"Here in Solihull we are very fortunate to have an excellent local news service provided by the "heroes and heroines" who gather and write our local stories.

"In my job, I know only too well how hard they work and how stretched they have become as staff numbers have been reduced in recent times.

"Inevitably, this leads to fewer change pages, fewer editions, and less community news reporting.

"Our local press is crucial to both local democracy and to the retention of a locally well-informed public."

Mrs Burt also called for a thorough review of the monopoly rules for local media, allowing the industry more freedom to help sustain quality local news coverage.

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