Ten Bury Times stories that show importance of local journalism amid campaign

Running until Sunday, the campaign gives outlets a chance to showcase how “independent news media can make a real difference to people’s lives and bring about change for the better”.

Here are some figures which show how value news is to the public:

• A survey by Local Matters this year found 92 per cent of adults in the UK say they use local media.
• Figures from the NMA Survey last year revealed 86 per cent of editors agreed the “BBC’s plans to cut its local radio provision and expand its online local news content in competition with local newspaper sites will damage independent local journalism in the UK”.
• The NMA “Local Matters” survey this year said 67 per cent of the public agreed the spread of misinformation and fake news was their main concern with AI, ahead of lack of human creativity and judgement (63 per cent), and the loss of human jobs (61 per cent).
• The NMA Survey last year reported 97 per cent of editors agreed the “risk to the public from AI-generated misinformation ahead of the general election was greater than ever before”.
• Broadcast regulator Ofcom found in 2021 that just 33 per cent of people think “social media is a trustworthy source of news”.
• Trust plays a key role, with people being more than twice as likely (+115 per cent) to trust news brands over social media, according to Newsworks.
• A total of 73 per cent of UK adults “trust the news and information they see in their local news media”, the NMA “Local Matters” survey this year found.

And here are 10 stories the Bury Times has published this year which have helped to make a difference to people’s lives:

A group of campaigners fought to save a popular hotel and community centre amid demolition plans.

A dad who was sent to prison indefinitely for robbing a phone saw his son for the first time in more than a decade.

The brother of a late borough comedian whose statue was toppled in a car crash called for greater protection of the monument.

Residents raised concerns after a restriction, which bans parking on one of the borough’s busiest roads, was put in place.

Two farming sisters saw their livelihood damaged by yobs who deliberately rolled valuable hay bales into a lodge.

A teenage robber shouted out “the Islamic State is remaining” before launching at and attacking a detective in a police interview.

A Bury centre dedicated to helping those struggling appealed for support to ensure it continues to be at the heart of the community.

Bury Market traders spoke out after funding from the council – which has been in place since the closure of the indoor market – was set to come to an end.

The daughter of a fun-loving pensioner who was fatally punched in Bury criticised the length of the sentence handed out to his attacker and launched an appeal. 

A mum shared her frustration after her four-year-old son has been left without a school place.

Of course, there are many other stories we have reported this year which have helped to bring about change, and we will continue to raise awareness of important matters.

We will also keep reporting on public justice in the courts and holding local authorities to account when required.

And, as always, we welcome anyone who would like to get in touch to put a spotlight on issues that are affecting them. 

To contact our newsdesk, call 01204 537271 or email burynews@newsquest.co.uk.