ABSTRACT
Hundreds of local UK newspapers have closed in the past decade and each week brings news of more. Once a crucial barometer on essential local issues, the local paper is fast disappearing and news migrating online. Not only does this mean job losses but the decline of that skilled and tenacious scrutiny by journalists of public life in communities across the UK. Where once every council meeting and budget decision was held up to the public spotlight, fewer and fewer local authority areas even have a dedicated specific local media. If journalists aren’t watching and asking the questions, who is keeping an eye on our public spenders, the corrupt politicians and town hall planners? What is the impact on local democracy?
