Newsquest Media Group has been awarded £125,000 from a government fund to launch a new local journalism project in London.
The publisher is among 11 London news organisations set to receive funding through the £6 million Local News Fund, which is designed to support the long-term sustainability and growth of local journalism.
Newsquest will use its grant to deliver the London Local News Lab, a pilot aimed at strengthening local news coverage in underserved communities. As part of the project, journalists will use an app to capture video interviews, audio, photographs and notes while reporting in their communities.
Artificial intelligence will be used to help produce transcripts, draft articles, video summaries and social media content, with material reviewed by journalists and editors before publication. The project is intended to reduce the time journalists spend on repetitive production tasks and allow them to spend more time reporting from within communities.
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Newsquest will also use the project to launch a new hyperlocal news service in Hammersmith and Fulham, producing community-led journalism in a range of formats and working with local schools. Lessons from the pilot will be shared with the wider local news industry through an open seminar.
The funding forms part of the Government's Local Media Action Plan, which aims to help local publishers adapt to changing audience habits and develop more sustainable sources of income.
Media Minister Ian Murray said: “For decades our local media has remained among the most trusted sources of news. But, as the media landscape has become more complex, many outlets have been forced to reduce their numbers or even close. Our vision is for a thriving local media in London and across the country, reporting on the issues and perspectives that matter to communities and providing invaluable trustworthy information.
“Through the Local News Fund we are taking action to help newsrooms innovate and adapt their business models for the online world, while incentivising and encouraging the production of high-quality, trustworthy news that Britain’s towns and villages deserve and rely on.”
Ten other London organisations have also been awarded grants. Citizen News and Media Limited, publisher of the Hackney Citizen, will receive £89,667 to develop an AI-driven investigations platform alongside tools for data journalism and reader revenue.
The Millers Publishing Company Limited has been awarded £125,000 for a reader data and engagement platform covering its seven local news titles, including The Londoner.
Modern Standard Media Ltd, which publishes putney.news, battersea.news and tooting.news, will receive £108,685 to develop hyperlocal updates on planning, licensing, roadworks and statutory notices, as well as launching a print edition and paid membership tier.
Harrow Online Ltd has secured £125,000 to develop its newsletters and subscription technology, while The Havering Daily Ltd will receive £57,000 for an audience and revenue growth platform.
Social Spider CIC has been awarded £29,559 for work aimed at increasing supporter income for titles including the Waltham Forest Echo, Enfield Dispatch and Barnet Post. Other recipients include OCN Technology, Social Streets C.I.C., Salamander Media Limited and The Peel Institute Company.
Applicants to the Local News Fund were required to demonstrate a track record of providing local journalism in England or Wales for at least 12 months. Bids were assessed on factors including quality, deliverability and their likely short and long-term impact.
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