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BBC service giving local journalists access to TV and radio clips to begin

Jeremy CliffordA facility allowing local journalists to access BBC material is being set up as part of the corporation’s partnership with the regional press industry.

Stream UK, which is owned by the Press Association, has been given the green light to provide the service following a tender process, and is now putting systems in place which will allow regional journalists access to local BBC television and radio news clips.

The company already provides streaming for the BBC World Service and will provide the service for more than 600 news organisations across the UK which will be given access to the material as part of the project.

The local democracy reporting partnership, which is run with the News Media Association, is now set to award 60 contracts for a scheme which will see a network of 150 local democracy reporters recruited.

The journalists will be funded by the BBC licence fee, but employed by local press groups which are successful in winning the contracts.

The project also includes the creation of a shared data unit which will be staffed by reporters from local news providers and the BBC.

Recruitment for the unit is due to begin next month.

David Holdsworth, controller of BBC English Regions, said: “This takes us a step closer towards an exciting time for local journalism. Stream UK currently helps the BBC World Service deliver content to its network of partners and we’re confident it will be able to provide a simple and smart solution for domestic news providers too.”

Jeremy Clifford, pictured above left, chair of the NMA/BBC Advisory Panel, said: “We are moving ever closer to seeing the first of the local democracy reporters employed by the local news media organisations. This is a significant investment in local journalism that will help to reinforce the coverage of our local councils.

“The partnership between the NMA and the BBC has demonstrated how news organisations can work collaboratively for a common goal.”