According to the report of the DCMS (Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Committee) released by Parliament in early 2023, local newspapers are under threat.
This report on the sustainability of local media comes at a moment when the public’s trust is declining in the national press, and online disinformation, hatred, and polarisation toward minorities continue to increase.
My research has shown that local journalists can provide an important counter-dote. It should be recognized as an important element in nurturing our diverse civic communities.
A new study shows that the media portrays Muslims in an unfavorable light. They are often depicted as the problematic outsider in British society. Stereotypes are used to describe them, or they may be described as “a threat to the west.”
A recent survey found that Muslims are perceived to be the second-least liked group in Britain, according to polling. Home Office statistics, released in October 2022, show that Muslims are more likely than other religious groups to become victims of hate crimes.
Local journalists and community spirit
According to my research, local media, in particular, can report stories about Muslims more inclusively.
I interviewed local journalists who work for newspapers in places with a relatively high Muslim population, such as London and Blackburn. The results revealed that journalists made conscious efforts to make sure their reporting didn’t harm the Muslims in the communities they serve. I found that local reporters saw Muslims as integral members of their community rather than outsiders.
Local journalists covered Muslim festivals and celebrations. Local journalists covered stories about terrorist attacks and Islamophobic incidents against local Muslims. Contributions of Muslims to civic activities were also reported, just like crimes and wrongdoings.
One local journalist said, “I try to go the extra-mile in my reporting so that I can get a truer picture of the community and the lives of its people.” “For me it’s about fighting back against the atomised bullshit we see coming at us online.” It’s important to report stories accurately and truthfully to fight back against the dehumanizing narrative out there.
It would be a simplification to apply the lessons learned by these journalists to all local media. Other studies have also revealed the often distinct newsroom cultures of local journalism. The journalists and readers are viewed as part of a single community with shared values and goals. The closeness of the journalists to their communities can translate into a more thoughtful approach to reporting and a greater reluctance to sensationalize or demonize.
The research also highlights the dedication of local journalists to creating a sense of community and defending it.
There are dangers ahead.
As the DCMS Committee report highlights, however, the landscape for local journalism is changing, and not in a positive way. More than 300 regional newspapers were closed between 2009 and 2019. In the week beginning February 6, 2023, it was announced three hundred DC Thomson employees would be laid off. The company is responsible for publishing newspapers such as Aberdeen’s Press & Journal and The Courier of Dundee.
In the same report, there are grave concerns that the decline of local journalism could have a negative impact on civic life without significant government intervention. The most affected communities are those in the UK’s most deprived regions.
DCMS’s report shows that local publishers struggle to keep up with the larger media organizations as they move online. The result is a loss of revenue and resources. The DCMS Committee has asked the government to provide funding for innovation, startups, and new technology to combat this.
Wozzie/Shutterstock
Media experts will closely monitor the upcoming Digital markets, Competition, and Consumer Bill at Westminster to see what impact it has on smaller publishers.
Local journalism is not only threatened by a digital market that has become more competitive. In reality, it is about recognizing that cultivating a sense of community is a way to combat wider hate, disinformation, and polarization.
A study by the campaign group The Media Reform Coalition reveals that nearly 84% of local newspapers are owned by six companies. While consolidation has provided a lifeline to some newspapers, it may have also threatened the close connection with the community that is vital for inclusive and balanced journalism.