BBC head of news denies undermining local journalism
The BBC’s head of news, James Harding, has hit back at critics who have claimed the broadcaster is undermining local journalism.
Delivering the WT Stead lecture at the British Library Harding labelled such critics as ‘mistaken’, adding that he would do ‘anything’ to assist local newspapers and broadcasters shy of reining in the competition.
Acknowledging that the sector faces challenges Harding instead sought to shift the blame to the likes of Google, Facebook, Amazon, Gumtree and Ebay which have been hovering up advertising and online views.
Harding said: “It is not widely known, but it should not come as a surprise, that the BBC’s largest audiences for the news are for the regional bulletins at 6.30. If the 6 o’clock gets 4.5 million viewers, the combined regional bulletins generally get a million more.
“It underscores why the BBC must, if it is to be a public service broadcaster, deliver on its obligation in local news. I say this because there is what I consider to be a mistaken view that the BBC should rein in its local news coverage for fear of aggravating the economic woes facing local newspapers. We have a direct interest in the health of local newspapers and regional newsrooms. We thrive thanks to vibrant public debate and courtesy of the stories and ideas unearthed by our colleagues in rival news organisations.
“And, while social media can make anyone into a journalist, citizen journalism has, to my mind, reinforced the value of the professional journalist. When there are so many voices out there, so many with hidden patrons and private axes to grind, so many confusing opinions for news, then there is something simply priceless about a voice you can trust.“
Last month home secretary Theresa May warned that the public sector broadcaster risked ‘destroying’ local news and undermining democracy as the BBC’s own local output negated the need for anyone to buy a local paper.