At its best, journalism is not just about reporting the news – it’s about making sure democracy works.
Nowhere is this more visible than in the work of local and regional newsrooms, where holding power to account, giving a voice to the community, and providing accurate information helps keep democracy alive and thriving.
His Majesty The King recently acknowledged this vital role in a message to Britain’s regional media.
“I have long believed that regional media, in all its forms, has a unique and vital role to play in society, perhaps even more so in these uncertain times…
“When too much focus is given to that which divides us, that role for your whole industry is more important than ever – and it starts from the ground-up, at local level, in your hands,” said His Majesty.
So how exactly does local journalism help democracy function at a grassroots level? Well, through scrutiny, representation, public service, and accountability.
Scrutinising local decision-making
Local councils make decisions that directly affect people’s lives – from bin collections and public transport to housing, education, and policing. These decisions often go unreported by national media.
Local newsrooms play a vital role in covering:
- Council meetings and cabinet decisions
- Budget proposals and public consultations
- Planning applications and infrastructure changes
By attending, questioning, and reporting on these decisions, local journalists ensure power operates transparently. Their work helps residents understand how decisions are made – and how to respond.
For example, scrutiny of damage caused by Bedford’s Winter Wonderland event led to wider questioning of council oversight.
Similarly, reporting on the cancellation and later partial reinstatement of the River Festival helped prompt further debate around public transparency.
Read: River Festival u-turn leaves unanswered questions despite Mayor’s promise “I am transparent”
Coverage of campaigners confronting local leadership during the East West Rail tour helped amplify residents’ concerns about major infrastructure plans.
Read: East West Rail campaigners confront Mayor Dave on his village tour
These stories are just a brief summary of broader issues that have had, or may yet have, a wider impact, but they serve as clear examples of matters that could have gone unnoticed, or misunderstood, without local reporting.
Giving a voice to local communities
Democracy relies on representation. Local journalism provides a platform for people whose voices might otherwise be ignored:
- Grassroots campaigners and community groups
- Charities and volunteers
- Residents affected by policy
By highlighting local initiatives and lived experiences, journalists help shape the local agenda and ensure decision-makers hear from all corners of the community.
Initiatives like the Everyday Heroes Awards showcase the contributions of local people making a real difference. Coverage of community campaigns, fundraising efforts and charitable work not only informs but fosters civic pride and participation.
Reporting elections with impact
Local elections are often only reported as part of the wider picture nationally, but they shape everyday life. Local journalists provide voters with fair, timely, and impartial information in a more detailed way before, during and after election day.
This includes:
- Reporting from public hustings
- Interviewing candidates equally (when possible)
- Live reporting from count venues
- Ward-by-ward results
- Analysis of turnout and impact
Local journalists will also help build a picture nationally. While their main focus may be on making sure local people are kept up to date on the results of elections, they may often feed into news agencies and larger news channels.
For example, while the Bedford Independent was reporting on the 2024 General Election results for Bedford & Kempston, North Bedfordshire and Mid Bedfordshire for its live election night coverage, their team was also feeding into the BBC, ITN and the Press Association (PA).
By covering all candidates with equal attention (wherever possible) local journalism gives voters the tools to make informed decisions, offering a consistent and verified account that cuts through party spin, campaign literature, or bias.
Exposing wrongdoing and demanding answers
Local media plays a watchdog role by shining a light in places others might not. Whether investigating contracts, policies or conduct, their scrutiny holds decision-makers to account.
When Fusion Lifestyle criticised media coverage of their leisure centre management as unfair, journalists responded with evidence, transparency and community testimony – maintaining public trust and encouraging wider scrutiny.
This approach strengthens accountability and helps ensure public concerns are not ignored or downplayed.
Supporting democracy in moments of joy and sorrow
Democracy isn’t just about scrutiny, it’s about shared experience. Local journalism reports on the highs and lows that shape community identity.
From Remembrance services and awards nights to public tributes and local tragedies, local news brings people together.
It also honours those who serve, including former public officials, such as Bedford’s last ceremonial mayor. Also, series like How the mayors of Bedford Borough have left their mark help the public reflect on leadership, legacy and how our political system works locally.
Read: How the mayors of Bedford Borough have left their mark
These stories reinforce shared values of empathy, respect, and public service – cornerstones of a healthy democracy.
The Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
One of the most important tools in local accountability is the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme (LDRS), funded by the BBC. It supports dedicated journalists to cover councils and public bodies across the UK.
In many places, this reporting fills a gap left by newsroom cutbacks, ensuring vital democratic stories are still told. For some publications, the scheme makes in-depth public service reporting possible.
LDRS reporters provide impartial, consistent coverage of:
- Council decisions and scrutiny panels
- Planning committees and budgets
- Local service changes and consultations
Without the LDRS, much of this critical information might never reach the public.
Democracy starts at street level, and local journalism is its everyday champion. From council chambers to community centres, reporters work to inform, empower, and include.
As His Majesty noted, “For without a thriving and financially robust regional media, we would all be the poorer.”
Good local journalism is created by people who live, work and participate in the communities they cover. They understand what matters because it affects them too.
They want transparent, constructive decision-making because it improves their schools, their roads, their parks, their shops and their lives.
That’s why local journalism matters. And why democracy depends on it.
This article is part of a series of articles to help support media literacy.
