Owl says: Well, some local papers might be fearless and independent- but others are fearful and political toadies – naming no names …!
“Britain’s ‘fearless and independent’ Press is one of the ‘foundations’ of democracy and must be protected, the Culture Secretary has warned.
Matt Hancock has spoken out in defence of journalism as figures released today reveal that more than 300 local and regional titles have closed since 2007 – meaning some large towns are left without a local newspaper.
There are also 25 per cent fewer full-time journalism jobs than there were in 2007, while a quarter of all regional and local publications have closed. …
… The figures released today are part of a report conducted by research group Mediatique and commissioned by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
It found that the newspaper industry has been under ‘sustained threat’ for the past decade – with print advertising slashed in half since 2007.
The Mediatique report found that the ‘dramatic changes’ in revenue and number of publications had been fuelled by shifts in consumer behaviour – and the reliance on devices such as phones and tablets.
Figures by Mediatique revealed that there were 1,303 regional and local newspapers in 2007 compared with 982 in 2017.”
East Devon Watch 
Advertisers as well as owners influence what is written. Just as the government influence the BBC by funding it. Money controls what we hear and determines the propaganda. I think only the Guardian is more independent, but I’m not sure how it’s funded.
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