Andy Burnham backs campaign to highlight vital role of journalism in democracy
Prime Minister says local journalism will hold power to account as devolution grows
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has thrown his weight behind a campaign to recognise the vital role journalism plays in society.
And he said with his drive to devolve more powers to local areas, local journalism had a key role to play in holding power to account.
In an article for today’s launch of Journalism Matters, the news industry’s annual campaign coordinated by the News Media Association, the Prime Minister said journalism was not just “a nice-to-have” but “part of the national infrastructure of a healthy country and democracy”.
He said: “Too much power in this country has flowed one way: towards Westminster and away from the places where people actually live their lives. This government is changing that. We are putting power and resources back into the hands of communities, because I want people in local communities to have a bigger say over the decisions that shape their area.
“But with greater local power must come local accountability. And that is why local journalism matters.
“Local reporters are the people sitting in council chambers, courts and planning meetings, asking the questions that need to be asked. They shine a light on decisions made in people’s name and give communities a voice.
“But their role goes much further than holding power to account. At moments when communities are at their most vulnerable, good local journalism can bring people together and separate fact from fiction. We saw that after Southport and, more recently, in Belfast, when trusted reporters challenged lies and misinformation being spread online.”
Mr Burnham said devolution could not simply mean moving power “from one set of politicians to another”. He said: “It has to mean giving people more of a say. For that to work, they need to know what is being done in their name. They need journalists willing to ask difficult questions, expose wrongdoing, challenge misinformation and champion their communities.
“That is why I am proud to support this year's Journalism Matters campaign, and why this government will work to ensure trusted local journalism remains at the heart of communities across our country.”
The Journalism Matters campaign is highlighting a global report published by Unesco earlier this year, which found a raft of economic and security benefits connected to journalism in countries with an ecosystem which supports an independent free press.
NMA chief executive Theo Bamber said: “The Prime Minister is absolutely right to point to the critical role that independent journalism plays in our society and particularly how important local news will be to the success of his own sprawling devolution agenda.
“Now, the support shown by the Prime Minister must turn into real action that demonstrates the government understands the changed environment that journalists and news publishers are operating in and strengthens their ability to do more of what they’re brilliant at - chasing stories, uncovering the truth and holding power to account.
“This means the government must do everything in its power to maintain a free and plural media ecosystem where the value of journalistic content is recognised and protected, whether that’s from global tech companies or the consequences of poor policy decisions. Journalism and news publishing are part of our national infrastructure and need the protection and support that comes with that.”