Review of local media in the UK

THE UK regulator Ofcom has set out details on the range of evidence it will gather to inform its review of local media in the UK.  As more people go online for local news and information, local media providers; including the BBC; are having to adapt their local offerings beyond traditional broadcast and print. So Ofcom is taking a closer look at how local media is evolving and what audiences need and value from local services. This will include:- carrying out research among consumers from across the UK in Spring 2024 and engaging with industry and other organisations over the coming months. This work will be used to inform our regulatory decisions with respect to; among other things; the changes that the BBC makes to its local services.

Earlier this year, Ofcom commissioned research to investigate the usage of local news and media across the UK. This found that 92% of adults used local news or information, including:- weather and traffic.

Ofcom's research showed that the most common way to access local news was online (89%), including:- social media and websites of broadcasters and newspapers, followed by TV (53%), radio (34%) and print newspapers (22%).

The research also indicated that people prefer different platforms for different types of local news. TV and radio are typically used to get news about wider geographic areas, such as news about the:- 'nation or region' or 'county.' Local newspapers (print and online) and social media are typically used to get news about smaller geographic areas like the:- 'area, town or city.' Hyperlocal messaging apps are more commonly used to get local news about peoples' neighbourhood or street.
Next steps

Ofcom has published an initial report in May 2024 setting out our preliminary findings from our consumer research and stakeholder engagement, and will also update on any additional work we are undertaking.  Ofcom said:- "We will publish a final report in November 2024. We also intend to use subsequent annual reports on the BBC to update our views on the BBC's position in the local news sectors, as well as the audio and audio-visual sectors."

Action to stub out smoking in taxis

LIVERPOOL City Council's Licensing Enforcement Officers have this year issued 98 fixed penalty notices (FPNs) to taxi drivers smoking in their vehicles.

It has been an offence to smoke (in a smoke free place) since the introduction of the Health Act 2006, and the Council has made an extra effort this year to clampdown on the illegal practice in licensed vehicles.

Most of the drivers who have had fixed penalty notices issued to them, either directly or by post, paid within 15 days in order to take advantage of the reduction in cost from:- £50 to £30.

If the penalty is not paid within 29 days of the offence, then a court summons is issued.

2 Sefton Private Hire drivers who chose to ignore the FPN's where recently summonsed to Court.

Both drivers were fined:- £200, with £150 costs and an £80 victim surcharge; the total payable for each driver was £430.

Liverpool Licensing Authority would like to remind all licensed drivers who smoke, that it is an offence to smoke in a licensed vehicle at any time; this includes when the driver is not working and using the vehicle in a personal capacity.

Additional patrols will be in operation over the busy Christmas period to ensure this law is being observed to protect customers.

Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said:- "2nd hand smoke is a known killer and major contributor to people developing lung cancer. Liverpool led the way in getting the law passed on banning smoking in public places and I'm glad our Licensing Team is keeping the momentum up by educating drivers and enforcing the law so our taxis are free of smoke too. Tens of thousands of people across the City will be using a taxi over the next fortnight at what is the busiest time of the year and our team will be working hard to ensure it's a clean ride all the way. This is a key part of our commitment to improve our neighbourhoods and making them better areas to live for our residents."

Liverpool Director of Public Health, Professor Matthew Ashton, added:- "The tough action our licensing team are taking is incredibly important. There is no safe level of exposure to 2nd hand smoke. It contains carcinogens and is linked with asthma and respiratory infections. Furthermore children are more susceptible to the health impact of 2nd hand smoke as their airways are smaller, they breathe more quickly than adults and they are less able to remove themselves from smoking environments. Everybody has a right to breathe clean air and this intervention is 1 example of how we are working to make this possible for everybody living and visiting Liverpool."

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