Supporting independent and local journalism

That this House recognises the crucial role that small, independent news publishers play in a democracy; notes the importance for communities of accessing truly local news that speaks to their needs and experiences; laments the sharp decline of local news production due to falling revenue and a rapidly evolving news economy; celebrates the growing innovation in independent news to respond to the challenges its providers face; welcomes the recommendations made by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s report on the sustainability of local news which build on the 2019 Cairncross Review of public interest news, noting in particular the directive to help independent news publishers become competitive and profitable in the face of tech giant market disruption, also reflected in the 2022 Public Interest Journalism Working Group’s recommendations to the Scottish Government; and therefore; resolves to ensure that publishers large and small benefit from a publisher-platform bargaining code in the forthcoming Digital Markets, Consumers and Competition Bill.