The BBC's plans to expand online local news services could threaten the future of local newspapers, according to the Newspaper Society.

The trade organisation, which represents the interests of the UK's local and regional newspapers, has submitted a 63-page report to the government's charter review in which it outlines its concerns about the BBC's local media projects.

The society claims that diversification into TV and digital media is essential to the future of local commercial media, but that the BBC's plans to expand the Where I Live websites and local TV services could push out commercial rivals.

It claimed that innovation and diversity would suffer in the long term if the BBC was allowed to monopolise local digital media because it is in a unique position to cross-promote its own services, exploit its extensive distribution network and operate outside the limitations of local economies.

"The BBC is increasingly targeting local and regional audiences. It is using public funding to leverage its scale and to create a network of screen-based local newspapers," said David Newell, director of the Newspaper Society.

"For the BBC to replicate the print and online content of regional and local newspapers is an unjustified use of licence fee money. It unfairly distorts local media markets to the public detriment."

The society also claims that because local newspapers have stronger community links and are better placed to cover local news, the BBC 'is likely to resort' to sourcing and repackaging stoires from local newspaper.

The society asks the government to consider ten proposals as it prepares its white paper on the BBC's charter review, including public funding for local media pilot projects by commercial organisations and rejecting additional funding for expansion of the BBC's Where I Live network.

It also asks that the BBC should be required to help local commercial media as it makes the transition from traditional media to digital formats.

A spokesperson for the BBC was unable to comment directly on submissions to the charter review, but said that the corporation welcomes plurality in the industry as well as comment and debate about the BBC's future.

The BBC's network of Where I Live sites provide coverage of local issues across the UK with a focus on user-generated content.

It plans to extend multimedia local news coverage and is launching a pilot project in the West Midlands later this year.

New projects are now subject to review by the board of governors under certain 'public value' criteria, including the impact on commercial markets.

• The Newspaper Society is due to discuss its concerns with the government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport on 9 August. The House of Lords' BBC Charter Committee this weeke extended its review into BBC plans for 'ultra-local' services.

More news from journalism.co.uk:
BBC 'threatens' local papers
Lucky escape for BBC Online
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BBC.co.uk builds new audiences for local news



Comments

From Chris Youett, 16:32 4 August 2005

Dear Sir,
 
If ever there is a case for bringing back the death penalty, it should be for the next newspaper boss to claim that those 'nasty' people in broadcasting are responsible for falling circulations.
 
This is Premiership Class cobblers. The idea that Auntie BBC is going to shaft all the newspapers where ever it rolls out its local online service not only over-flatters the abilities of the suits who run the Corporation, but pre-supposes that it would employ sufficient journalists to out-scoop established rivals.
 
I would love to see the BBC set up news rooms with 20 or 30 journalists in each city in the country, but pigs will fly first.  If the current regional newsrooms get an extra six journalists for the online services they will be doing well.
 
Newspapers Society boss David Newell would do his members a big favour if he stopped blaming TV and radio for declined sales; that is fairly and squarely down to complacent and out-of-touch publishers who still think that we are living in the 1930s.  There have been plenty of surveys shewing how the NS could turn it's members' circulations round.  I suggest that Mr Newell gets his members to start taking note.

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