In an era of Facebook, fake news and free content, how are the West of England’s media organisations maintaining standards and keeping the region in the know?
The Bristol branch of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) tackles this issue head-on at an event this evening (Friday, March 24) as part of the union’s Local News Matters Week. 
The NUJ argues that a vital, vigorous press should be at the heart of the community it serves and owned and operated in the public interest. The week of action will champion local news as an essential component of society, democracy and citizenship.
On the panel at Friday’s event – which takes place at Bristol’s Watershed media and arts centre – will be Bristol 24/7 editor Martin Booth, Local Voice Network co-founder Rich Coulter, Steve Jackley of the St Paul’s magazine Vocalise, and Bristol Post editor Mike Norton, along with staff from the BBC, ITV, Made in Bristol, the Bristol Cable and more.
MPs Charlotte Leslie (Bristol North West) and Thangam Debbonaire (Bristol West) are expected to attend along with West of England Metro Mayor candidates Stephen Williams (Lib Dem), Darren Hall (Green) and Lesley Mansell (Labour).
Also speaking will be NUJ national publishing organiser Laura Davison.
Tickets for the event, which starts at 7pm, are available online, from Watershed, 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol BS1 5TXl, or by phoning 0117 927 5100.
The NUJ’s Local News Matters Week runs from Friday until April 1.
The campaign wants to galvanise NUJ members to put pressure on media companies and other decision-makers who can stop cuts to editorial staff in newsrooms and increase investment in quality local journalism.
The campaign demands:
- A short, sharp, national, parliamentary inquiry into the state of local news
- Local papers should be treated as community assets
- New rules to prevent local media outlets from closing overnight – they should be offered to potential new owners, including local co-operatives, with the time available to submit a bid for alternative media ownership in advance of any closure
- Action by government and employers to stem the relentless job cuts
- Increasing investment, from a range of sources, for quality local journalism.
