We are among four new media organisations to join the BBC-funded Local Democracy Reporter Scheme.
Joining Baylis Media, Highland News & Media and Northampton-based community radio station NLive, we have been awarded our first contract to employ Local Democracy Reporters from July 1.
A Local Democracy Reporter will join our editorial team as part of the Service, which was launched by the BBC to support journalism in the local news sector and now funds a network of 165 journalists employed by commercial newsrooms.
Local Democracy Reporters cover local council meetings, public service organisations and other democratic institutions.
Editorial Director Emily Woolfe said: “We are pleased to build on our strong heritage of working in partnership with leading organisations to join the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“Community-based journalism is central to our publishing business, so we look forward to producing news stories which matter most to local people through the BBC partnership.”
Trusted news
Managing Director Scott Wood said: “Trusted ultra-local news is paramount within our newspapers so we look forward to seeing our new Local Democracy Reporter make an impact in providing the coverage which readers expect from our titles.”
In total, 15 different media organisations from across the UK have been awarded or re-awarded at least one of 118 contracts following completion of the award process.
The Local Democracy Reporters are funded by the BBC as part of its Charter commitment. The journalists are employed by hyperlocal, local and regional news organisations across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Jason Gibbins, Editor, Local News Partnerships at the BBC, who overs sees the Local Democracy Reporter Scheme, said: “The result of this process means that every part of the country will be covered by a Local Democracy Reporter.
“The addition of four new contract holders is to be celebrated, and we look forward to them joining existing contract holders in their continued efforts to scrutinise the work of councils and other local public bodies across the UK.”
The additions come on the back of the first procurement process to be held since 2021, and the contracts will run from July 1 to the end of 2027.
The BBC says since the scheme’s inception at the start of 2018, it has produced more than more than 470,000 stories for publication by partner newsrooms.