The Government is being called on to curb the activities of Google and Facebook.
Local newspapers are at risk of being wiped out if the actions of tech giants are left unchecked.
Part of Journalism Matters week, a survey of local editors has been published revealing that local journalism has become more vital to its audiences.
Although the pandemic has shone a brighter light on the role of local journalism, local editors fear that tech giants are posing a very real threat to their businesses, with 89% of respondents agreeing that the activities of Google and Facebook pose an existential threat to local journalism.
At the same time, the same percentage of respondents agree that the UK Government should act to make tech giants pay for the local journalism on their platforms, as the Australian authorities have done.
NMA deputy chief executive Lynne Anderson said: “Local editors have issued a stark warning to Government; act now to curb the tech giants or place the future of local journalism – which has served the public so effectively during the pandemic – at risk.”
Fifty-seven editors responded to the survey which was conducted between 8 and 11 September.
Read more about the survey and its findings here.
Source: News Media Association
