BBC is suffocating local journalism by increasing online presence, top editor says
THE BBC is suffocating local journalism by increasing its online presence, the editor of one of Britain’s best-known regional newspapers has warned.
Sarah Lester said the “state-funded juggernaut” was competing directly with newspaper websites.
The Manchester Evening News chief also blasted the Beeb for increasing its local news output online in 43 areas in England while cutting back on regional radio.
Experts believe the overall effect will doom regional papers struggling with falling readership and advertising revenues.
In an open letter to Beeb chiefs, Ms Lester wrote: “The BBC is on course to suffocate independent local journalism.
"The BBC now intends to write more news online, directly competing with websites like the Manchester Evening News and other trusted campaigning titles across the country.
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"These local newspaper websites are already currently battling with tech platforms like Google, Meta and Apple for a fair share of the value generated by the content created.
"Unlike Google, Meta and co, the BBC's funding is guaranteed by the licence fee, meaning the British public is underwriting the biggest threat local journalism has ever faced.
"It is choosing to push that money towards local news websites, thereby making it increasingly difficult for proud, independent news sites like this one to survive in the long term.
"None of us have asked for this - and the effect on a free press will be catastrophic.”
