Though there have been locally-based newspapers in the past, such as The Morley Advertiser and Observer, there is today no single news outlet that serves our proud town. It is estimated that a total of 4.4 million people live in some form of news desert, an ‘An area lacking an original, reliable source of local journalism, such as a local newspaper, digital news site, or public media station’, according to data by the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF).
Morley is but one of many towns classified as being a ‘relative news desert’, meaning that there is no dedicated community news outlet for Morley. As a result, our town relies on neighbouring outlets, such as the Yorkshire Evening Post and Leeds Live, to report on stories happening within the community.
Though there is some form of reporting on our town by regional news outlets, their scope tends to be much broader due to their larger geographical cover, often meaning that many stories relating to Morley and its residents, unfortunately, go unreported as a result. Much of the news that is reported by these regional titles, tends to focus on the same topics of council planning and crime. Though these are of course integral stories that should be reported on, it often leaves little room for important community-moving stories, such as news relating to local businesses, events and success stories of individuals and groups alike.
But merely reporting on stories and happenings around town is not the only reason for the importance of towns having their own dedicated news outlet. Apart from local media being able to report and present street-level news to the community, it is also a key to ensuring local power is kept in check. Without the scrutiny on local spending, council planning and decision making being reported on by dedicated community news outlets, local government goes unchecked and unaccountable as a result.
Alongside this, local news helps to foster civic participation and closer community ties within the town. Those who read about their own local areas are statistically more likely to take part in local elections, join community groups and to volunteer their time on local projects.
Local news outlets further benefit the communities they serve by offering in-depth news that not only highlights successes within it, but builds a sense of belonging and more importantly, helps to increase community pride and trust in neighbours.
Local news is integral to a town, and each should have one, from reporting on local council decisions, community successes stories and helping to build a closer local community within a world that has become more polarised and unfamiliar in recent years.
As such, we welcome you to The Townsman, Morley’s very own local news outlet. We aim to bring to you each week, fact-driven and in-depth articles and stories of people, groups and businesses who are proud to be a part of our town.
Home Reports will focus on just this, whilst also offering other interesting and news worthy topics, including MP’s Corner, which will focus on what our Local MP has been doing for our community, both here and in Parliament. In addition, The Trickledown section takes an issue from national newspapers and analyzes how it can or does affect Morley, be that climate change or the next political scandal. Finally, our Counterpunch section offers you a tongue-in-cheek commentary each week, speaking on various subjects from phone call scammers to the frustrations of getting a dental appointment these days.
BY REECE CHADWICK
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