A little over two weeks remain until the general election, and the main political parties have all released their manifestos outlining their plans.

Both the Tories and Labour made specific mentions of the regional press industry in their manifestos, while the Liberal Democrats have expressed their support of the “free media”.

Here is HTFP’s round-up of the main policy points which could affect the regional press from the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

We also look at pledges made by smaller parties including the Greens and the Brexit Party.

Conservative Party

The Conservative Party has promised to repeal Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act, which would force media organisations to pay the legal costs of both sides in libel and privacy cases, regardless of whether they win, unless they signed up to an approved press regulator under the government’s Royal Charter.

The Tories have also stated they will not proceed with the second stage of the Leveson Inquiry.

The party’s manifesto adds: “Through the Cultural Investment Fund, outlined above, we will also support activities, traditions and events that bring communities together.

“We will support local and regional newspapers, as vital pillars of communities and local democracy, including by extending their business rates relief.”

Labour Party

Labour said a free and fair press is “vital to protecting democracy and holding the powerful to account”, adding it would consult on a legal right of public interest defence for journalists.

Its manifesto states: “We will address misconduct and the unresolved failures of corporate governance raised by the second stage of the abandoned Leveson Inquiry.

“We will take steps to ensure that Ofcom is better able to safeguard a healthy plurality of media ownership and to put in place clearer rules on who is fit and proper to own or run TV and radio stations.

“We will take action to address the monopolistic hold the tech giants have on advertising revenues and will support vital local newspapers and media outlets.

“We will consult media-sector workers and trade unions to establish an inquiry into the ‘fake news’ undermining trust in media, democracy and public debate, and on a legal right of public interest defence for journalists.”

Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats’ manifesto has not specifically mentioned the regional press industry.

But it states: “[We will] support free media and a free and open internet, championing the free flow of information.”

The party also pledged “take a leading role in increasing media literacy and educating all generations in tackling the impact of fake news”.

Green Party

The Greens say they want a suitable independent regulator to “safeguard a healthy plurality of media ownership, to undertake regular plurality reviews and to trigger remedies where necessary”.

They also want to ensure no individual or company owns more than 20pc of a media market.

The party’s manifesto adds: “[We will] support, through new grants, the growth of a wider range of civic-minded local news publishers.

“Local newspapers in the UK are an important part of our democracy and culture yet many are closing or struggling to survive.”

Brexit Party

The Brexit Party’s “contract with the people” states it will phase out the BBC licence fee, but makes no specific mention of the regional press.