West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker speaking at the Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham. PIC: Richard Parker
The Mayor of the West Midlands believes the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) plays a ‘vital role’ in holding those in power to account.
Speaking during Journalism Matters week, Richard Parker said the BBC funded scheme is a key component in ensuring people were aware of how their money was being spent.
The LDRS was set up in 2018 and currently funds 165 reporters across the UK who are helping to fill a gap in the reporting of local democracy.
Reporters are funded by the BBC but employed by local and regional publishers across the UK who train and develop them, while the content they create is shared with all qualifying partners.
This means a single story can reach audiences through newspapers, websites, broadcasters and hyperlocal publishers, ensuring important local information is available as widely as possible
Approximately 240 media organisations, jointly delivering in the region of 1,100 news brands, have access to the LDRS content
Since the launch, more than 600,000 public interest stories have been published by Local Democracy Reporters across the UK.
Mr Parker said: “Local democracy absolutely depends on people knowing what decisions are being made in their name, how their money is being spent and who is ultimately responsible.
“At a time when social media is full of noise and misinformation, independent local journalism matters.
“We need journalists who ask difficult questions, challenge those in power. And journalists who report the facts.
“The Local Democracy Reporting Service plays a vital role in doing exactly that.
“By reporting on the decisions that shape our communities, it helps people understand what’s happening in their area and holds people like me to account.
“As Mayor, I won’t always agree with what’s written about me or the decisions I make.
“But that’s the point of a free press. Good journalism should challenge us and make us better at what we do.
“As more decisions are made locally through devolution, that scrutiny becomes even more important.
“We need a strong, independent local press – and the LDRS is a key part of that.”
The Journalism Matters campaign is run by the News Media Association and runs from November 2-8.
It aims to showcase how independent journalism is part of the country’s critical infrastructure. The annual campaign enables the news sector to shine a light on important issues that are central to its sustainability.
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