Abstract
This thesis examines the contemporary context for public interest journalism in the UK, with specific reference to local news. It demonstrates that there is no shared definition of a contemporary ‘local news crisis,’ which complicates the effectiveness of responses from individuals, publishers, and institutions.The research further argues that interventions to address the local news crisis remain dominated by the historic structure of local news publishing, namely, that of large, corporately-owned news publishers. The thesis argues that this leaves new, independent local news publishers at a disadvantage, creating an ‘uneven playing field’ of support and funding for the local news sector as a whole.
The study conducted 27 interviews with local news reporters, editors and senior staff based in both corporately-owned and independent news organisations, alongside representatives from stakeholder organisations working to support and sustain local news. The cohort of interviews includes funders, policymakers, and regulatory bodies who each have a shared interest in addressing the ‘uneven playing field’. Analysis of the interviews from multiple sources provides evidence for the thesis - that the lack of a shared definition of public interest in local news journalism will continue to frustrate attempts to solve the ‘local news crisis’.
The research argues that public interest journalism at a local level may continue to decline in the future unless support, funding and innovation to prioritise the sustainability of local journalism in the public interest occurs. Recommendations are offered for further research in this area.
| Date of Award | 12 Feb 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | James William Dennis (Supervisor), Sophia Wood (Supervisor) & Carolyne Lunga (Supervisor) |