Philip Davies
Main Page: Philip Davies (Conservative - Shipley)Local Newspapers
Philip Davies Excerpts(9 years, 8 months ago)
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Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con)
Does the hon. Gentleman agree that in many respects the Chancellor understated the importance of local media? It is not just that they are important to community life and local life. They are an essential part of local democracy—of holding people to account in a politically neutral way. That is not always the case with other elements of the media. On that basis, does he agree that local councils sending out propaganda masquerading as independent newspapers will never be a substitute for a good local press?
John McDonnell
The Government have taken action on that matter and introduced a code of practice, which they have also enforced in some areas, so in that debate, things have moved on dramatically. I am aware that the hon. Gentleman has in the past tabled early-day motions on the subject and participated in debates on it.
I want to focus on what is happening in the industry at the moment. Many of us have taken the view that we simply cannot go on the way we are, or we risk losing the local newspapers that, as the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) said, we all value as the bedrock of local democracy in many ways.