The National Union of Journalists has taken its Journalism Matters campaign to Parliament with an Early Day Motion calling for action to address the threat posed to local democracy by recent newspaper job losses.

The NUJ Parliamentary Group tabled the motion – a petition signed by MPs – calling on Parliament to recognise the importance of quality journalism to local democracy and to prevent damage being done to it.

The campaign aims to defend journalism from media companies’ job and budget cuts, which the NUJ says “are undermining community news and the public’s right to know”.

The EDM, so far signed by ten MPs, claims that some companies effectively operated as regional monopolies and calls on the Government to investigate allegations of “profiteering and anti-competitive practices” by local newspaper companies.

NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear said: “We are undertaking a massive drive to highlight the danger to our democracy by these attacks and intend to get the message across loud and clear that journalism matters – not just to journalists but to everyone.

“Both Parliament and the public must realise that this is reaching crisis proportions – cuts in staff and budgets mean journalists do not have the time they need to research stories properly and get to the truth.

“We are asking, who will ask the questions when we’re gone? Who will hold the powerful to account? How will you know your local hospital is clean, your local school performing and your local police force protecting your community?

“Our politicians and commentators are constantly expressing concern about the lack of involvement in local issues and the low turn-out at elections. Quality journalism is vital in keeping community debate alive.”