Local Newspapers
Debate between Louise Mensch and Gloria De Piero(12 years, 7 months ago)
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Louise Mensch (Corby) (Con)
Thank you, Mrs Main. It is a delight to see this debate so well attended by hon. Members from all parties. Although this is a particularly heavy news day, it is nevertheless appropriate that we debate local news, because local papers remain, despite not grabbing the headlines, the single most popular print medium in the UK. They are read by almost 70% of the adult population and have a cumulative readership of some 33 million readers per month.
In 2009, Ofcom noted that local newspapers were, far and away, the most trusted news organisations in the country.
Gloria De Piero (Ashfield) (Lab)
Local papers are essential for local democracy. Members might all like to think that people with concerns come straight to us, but they often go to the local paper, which they trust. We often read it and that enables us to do our job. I thank the hon. Lady for securing this debate.