Friday marked the launch of our Local News Matters week of action.
Dorset Eye fully supports quality local journalism with an investigative ethos. We are not a mainstream media but looking to offer an alternative. However, we do believe that our presence is indicative of how poor the quality of local media has become. Corporate owned and crowded with advertisements, the outcome is now efficiency over quality.
It is not enough to have a presence it has to be enlightening, solution based and ultimately critical where required. Too much now panders to advertisers and fear mongering. If you cannot do it well and empower local people both cerebrally and democratically then we say ‘don’t do it all. Leave it those who will and can’.
Here is the message from the NUJ – as received.
NUJ members and reps from across the UK and Ireland have stepped up to the challenge and organised events and activities as part of this union-wide campaign.
There is still time to take part; here are a few suggestions about what you can do:
- Sign and share the NUJ and TUC public pledge calling for investment in quality local journalism and for the UK government to launch a public inquiry to examine the local media crisis.
- Send or tweet us a #localnewsmatters quote to say why you care about the campaign.
- Take a selfie with the LNM logo and send or tweet it with your quote, copy in @NUJofficial
- Write to your local MP to ask them to sign early day motion EDM 1109 and to speak up for the local media in your area by attending the local news matters debate in parliament on Thursday 30 March starting at 13.30.
- Write to your local political representatives in Ireland and ask them for a supportive quote.
- Record a video message about why local news is important to you.
There are lots of events and activities planned across the UK and Ireland over the coming days including:
The NUJ’s Sunderland Shields and Hartlepool branch has organised an event today at lunchtime at the Sunderland Civic Centre. Oxford branch have been meeting MPs today. Derry and North West Ireland branch have secured support from Derry city and Strabane district council, Mid Ulster district council, and Fermanagh and Omagh district council. Comeragh municipal district council and Waterford city and county council have passed motions supporting the campaign. Tonight, Bristol branch has organised a public meeting. On Saturday the Irish South West branch has organised a conference in Limerick. On Saturday morning the Norfolk branch will be leafleting in town, at lunchtime the Manchester and Salford branch have organised a film showing. On Monday, the Centre for Investigative Journalism is holding a training workshop for journalists in Glasgow. On Tuesday there is a meeting in parliament to launch new research about cuts to local news and the impact on democracy. Bethan Jenkins AM will host an event at the National Assembly for Wales on Tuesday and in the evening there will be a London independent broadcasting and new media branch meeting. On Wednesday, the Leeds and Wakefield branch will be leafleting outside Leeds train station. On Friday, there will be a national Future of News conference in Edinburgh. Birmingham and Coventry branch have organised an event for Friday evening and to round-off the week there will be an NUJ reps summit in Manchester on Saturday 1 April. Visit the NUJ LNM campaign page for more details.
Thanks to all reps and members who have helped to organise this campaign so far.
We hope everyone will take part to defend journalism and local news. Now is the time to get active!
Send any feedback, information and updates to the NUJ campaigns and communications department: [email protected]
