In recent years, hyperlocal news outlets have gained momentum in the UK, aiming to fill media gaps left by the decline of local newspapers. “The Slice,” based in Tower Hamlets, East London, has been covering local news since 2018. Founded by Tabitha Stapely, the publication provides print and online news for the borough’s 300,000 residents. Despite the closure of nearly 300 local newspapers between 2005 and 2024, “The Slice” offers a sustainable model for local journalism, supported by nearly 500 subscribers and local businesses. Around 8,000 people receive its newsletters, keeping the publication free for others.
Mill Media, founded by Joshi Herrmann in 2020, follows a similar approach. Starting with the Manchester Mill, it now runs six local news sites, employing 20 journalists. Its investigative work includes exposing a toxic culture at Manchester University and highlighting safety violations at a children’s home. Supported by subscribers and investors, Mill Media reached financial stability in June 2024 with 500,000 readers.
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Jonathan Heawood, director of the Public Interest News Foundation, noted that around 4.8 million people in the UK live in “media deserts” without local news coverage. He believes local news provides significant social benefits, including better public awareness and reduced political polarization.
Mill Media’s success reflects a shift away from “fast news,” similar to how people reject fast fashion. Victoria Munro from The Sheffield Tribune noted that Sheffield had only one local newspaper before her publication launched in 2021. This resurgence in hyperlocal journalism has sparked optimism, with calls for better government and tech industry support to secure its future. King Charles III is set to host Mill Media’s team at Buckingham Palace, recognizing their contribution to local journalism.
This article is originally published on actu.orange.fr
