The new culture, media and sports secretary was today handed an eight-point “rescue plan” for local journalism.
Ben Bradshaw is being urged by the National Union of Journalists to provide an economic stimulus package to the industry in the wake of large-scale job losses.
Mr Bradshaw, who was elevated to the position in last week’s government reshuffle, is now putting the finishing touches to the government’s Digital Britain plan due to be unveiled on Tuesday.
The NUJ says the report should be designed to boost editorial investment, strengthen local journalism and provide the funding needed to get new local media models off the ground.
Its proposed package of measures includes:
In a letter to Mr Bradshaw, general secretary Jeremy Dear said: “There are many options open to government and no single solution but every decision – from media ownership rules to strategic use of government advertising, from training to the funding of public service broadcasting – must have as a benchmark how it helps to promote quality journalism.”
Mr Dear has also asked for face-to-face talks with the new minister about the cutbacks hitting jobs in newsrooms.
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