LAST WEEK, Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow in Essex, revealed that his constituents have been ringing him to get their local news.
He’s not a modern day town crier, but his local newspaper has closed.
BBC News reported him thus: “I was amazed to have elderly residents ringing my office to say would I keep them informed of the news.”
On Tuesday, the Cairncross report was published. It looks at the future of journalism in a world dominated by Facebook and Google.
In it, Dame Frances Cairncross calls for a new Institute for Public Interest News to help fund local journalism.
We welcome this. But any such scheme should prioritise the independent titles set up, like The Wokingham Paper, to fill a gap left when the big groups retreated.
One of the biggest compliments we can be paid is when people call us the name of our predecessor. It is a badge of honour to be compared in the same tones.
But we operate on a wing and a prayer. We put in long, long hours to ensure you have a quality, local newspaper. You can help us by committing to buy The Wokingham Paper every week.
It would be galling if the efforts we – and other hyperlocal titles – make is snubbed in favour of the big boys.
