Local press ABCs woe and a drastic solution
Former editor Michael Gilson says regional press giants have had their day
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This week we have a fairly explosive contribution to the debate around the future of local news from former editor Michael Gilson.
In his time he has been editor of the Belfast Telegraph, Brighton Argus and Portsmouth News and he is a long-standing judge of the British Journalism Awards.
So his views are worth listening to, but they won’t make pleasant reading if you are a senior executive at Newsquest, Reach or National World. He argues that these giants may not be the best custodians of such vital local assets and suggests the state help publishers need should be directed elsewhere.
Meanwhile, yesterday we reported on a niche local news success story in the form of The Mill which has just secured some big-name backers to fund the next stage of its expansion. Such publishers may be the future of UK local news in the eyes of Gilson.
The problem with Gilson’s argument, as I see it, is that the corporate publishers still employ thousands of journalists whereas I’d be surprised if community-run outfits like The Mill total more than 100 employees across the UK.
The challenge is finding a solution for local news which provides quality local content for everyone who wants it and which works in less affluent and sparsely populated ‘news gaps’, not just the big metropolitan centres.
Meanwhile, UK editor Charlotte Tobitt reports on the latest industry thinking around generative AI as she rounds up the publishers who have so far blocked ChatGPT from scraping their websites to train its model. The PPA, which represents specialist publishers, has raised alarm bells with the UK government about ChatGPT’s exploitation of editorial content.
Generative AI will be top of the agenda at Press Gazette’s Future of Media Technology conference in London next Wednesday. You can see the final line-up of speakers and book your place here.
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New from Press Gazette:
Comment: Former editor argues support for local news should be directed outside major publishers
We need to allow the “industry” companies to wither and let the top brass enjoy their retirements. (Read more)
Regional ABCs: UK daily local newspaper circulation down 20% in first half of 2023
Circulation of the UK’s regional print daily newspapers fell by an average of 21% year-on-year in the first six months of 2023, according to the latest ABC figures. (Read more)
News publishers divided over whether to block ChatGPT
The PPA has written to Rishi Sunak asking for AI companies to be forced into being transparent. (Read more)
UK media leaders meet to discuss threats and opportunities for industry in age of AI
Full line-up of speakers for next week’s Press Gazette Future of Media Technology Conference in London and booking details. (Read more)
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Previously on Press Gazette
Leading media figures invest £350,000 in local news start-up The Mill
Christian Broughton promoted to CEO as Independent announces more US expansion
Top 50 UK news websites in July: Guardian only top ten name to avoid traffic slump
