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A Newry and Armagh Workers Party representative has called for Stormont to make a Local News Fund available for media outlets in the same way the UK Government has made a substantial fund available for England and Wales
Nicola Grant said the Workers Party supports the call for Stormont to make funding available to local news outlets in Northern Ireland. Grant said: "The UK government is distributing £12m in funding for local media in England and Wales and local media platforms, and our local media should be treated in an equitable manner. Local media outlets are not only important but vital for ensuring that people are kept always informed not just about local issues and events, but about issues concerning the delivery of public services, utilities, and government policies, local and Regional."
Grant continued "At a time when there is a culture of secrecy at local government level and the Northern Ireland Assembly it falls to local media organisations to ensure that the public interest in transparency and accountability is pursued. It is important to have an informed public and that means being aware of why, when, and how the decision-making process is carried out on their behalf and how taxpayers' money is used."
She added: "Local news outlets give a voice to those who are to often ignored by the regional media, they also give voice and support for local issues that affect rural communities, small businesses, and towns. They are a key part of local life and culture. More local outlets are being closed and not always for the right reasons."
Grant emphasised the Workers Party is 100% behind the call for parity for Northern Ireland local media platforms and newspapers in the interest of transparency, accountability, and an informed public.
