Idea 6: All local newspapers to have a 'public service obligation' in return for continued public sector advertising spend

All local newspapers to have a 'public service obligation' in return for continued public sector advertising spend

As local authorities and other public sector organisations begin the painful process of budget cut-backs, one of the areas of spend which will again come under the spotlight is advertising - for jobs, councillor surgeries, planning applications, etc – in local newspapers.

If a deal could be struck whereby the local newspaper was to provide an agreed amount of coverage of council activity (obviously maintaining complete editorial control) – say reportage of council committee meetings, work with young people or international links – then it should be possible for them to secure, albeit a reduced rate, a steady, reliable flow of advertising revenue from the authority.