22 January 2024 , 00:01
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The BBC has been ordered to work more closely with publishers amid growing concerns about the threat it poses to the future of independent local news.
Industry regulator Ofcom will also be told to produce an annual report looking at the impact the Corporation is having. The instructions are contained in the Government’s mid-term review of the BBC ’s Charter - its contract with Government which is underpinned by the licence fee, paid by every household in the UK. The mid-term review also gives media regulator Ofcom greater powers to scrutinise the BBC’s online services.
They have attracted strong criticism from publishers after the BBC began dismantling its local radio services so it could boost its local news online, directly competing with existing local news websites.
Across the UK, the BBC has scrapped dedicated local programming on local radio stations after 2pm on weekdays and throughout most of the weekend, instead hiring more local journalists to write stories for the BBC News website, often writing articles already being produced by existing local publishers. Publishers say the BBC’s licence fee model, which enables it to publish stories without adverts gives it an unfair advantage which could drive historic local titles out of business.
Owen Meredith, News Media Association chief executive, said: “The government’s recommendation that the BBC strengthen its transparency and engagement with commercial media providers is welcome and makes clear the BBC needs to change its current approach, particularly in the local news marketplace, to support rather than compete with commercial providers.”
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The BBC dismissed the concerns in a statement on its website, pointing to its funding of 165 Local Democracy Reporters through the Local News Partnership with publishers.