Theresa May said it would be a 'sad day' if the BBC helped bring about the demise of local newspapers such as the Maidenhead Advertiser.
The Home secretary Theresa May the Conservative MP has warned the BBC of its online news operation is undermining local newspapers. The MP talks about the Society of Editors conference in London, that the BBC had claimed it was opening up markets with its activities when it was dominating them instead.
"There is a real need for the BBC to think about its own position and what it is doing and the impact it has," she said. "If the BBC can provide all the locally-significant news, what reason is left for local people to buy a newspaper? That's as dangerous for local politics as it is for local journalism. "The BBC has to think carefully about its presence locally and the impact that has on local democracy. "May said it would be a "sad day" if the BBC helped bring about the demise of local newspapers such as her own, the Maidenhead Advertiser. "As the local MP I value my ability to raise issues in my local newspaper... It is fiercely independent and influential, people read it because it tells them what is happening and it would be a sad day if the might of the BBC affected its availability," she said.
- Renewal of its royal charter in 2017.
- BBC could face a cut in the licence fee or have to share it with other broadcasters.
- BBC3 and BBC4 could be axed to prevent programming spend being spread too thinly.
- What reason is left for local people to buy a newspaper?
I personally think, most people do not buy newspapers as much any more as some audiences have access to the online version. Why should they buy newspapers when they could get it online most people would ask, therefore the new generation wouldn't even buy newspapers whereas an old generation would as it would be tradition.
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