ABSTRACT
Why were safety warnings from Grenfell Tower residents, months before the fire tragedy, not heeded? The tenants’ blog, which repeatedly flagged serious concerns, would ordinarily be a rich source of local news for on-the-beat reporters. But no one was there! There is no local newspaper for Kensington and Chelsea. The sexual abuse of 1400 young girls in Rotherham was exposed by the skilled reporting of Andrew Norfolk of The Times. Local newspapers such as the Rotherham Advertiser and Sheffield Star also proved vital. Up against local council and police denials, the role of journalists was crucial to exposing this scandal. This case study explores the how local and national media forced the hand of public agencies to tackle this shocking scandal. Sheffield’s trees have become the battleground for an issue that goes to the core of local accountability and the increasing role of the private sector in local government. Sheffield’s Streets Ahead contract looked harmless enough – relaying roads across the city. That was until the council’s contractors started felling trees with residents protesting that many did not obstruct the highway. All three of these case studies raise serious questions about the scrutiny and accountability of local authorities and the important role the media can and does play. If the actions of the state are not constantly monitored, how can democracy continue to be upheld?
