Local Newspaper week - read all about it!

Next week is Local Neewspaper Week the annual initiative by the local newspaper industry to highlight the important role played by local papers in communities across the UK.

Held from May 12 to 18, this year will see the launch of a new campaign called Making a Difference which will showcase the ability of local media to make a difference to the lives of ordinary individuals in a way that no other media can.

Whether it’s raising funds for a life-saving operation, keeping a day centre open, campaigning for justice or cleaning up a local park, local newspapers - in print, online, on mobile and social media - can bring about real positive change in their communities.

With the advent of digital media, local newspapers have larger audiences than ever before, demonstrating that local news and information remains extremely highly valued.

Here are some key statistics about the local media industry:

*There are 1,100 local newspapers and 1,700 associated websites in the UK.

* The local press is the UK’s most popular print medium, read by 30 million people a week.

* Local media websites attract 79 million unique users each month.

* Over 60 per cent of people act on the ads in local newspapers.

* Seventy per cent of people spend half or more of their money within five miles of home.

* Local newspapers are more than twice as trusted as any other media channel.

* Eighty-five per cent of people spend half or more of their time within five miles of home.

To mark Local Newspaper Week the Kirkintilloch Herald Series and the Milngavie and Bearsden Herald will be launching a Young Writers Competition aimed at children in the Primary Seven classes across the district.

The theme will be ‘Making a Difference’ and will focus on what young people can do to improve their local community. It could be anything from a litter pick to helping out with a community project, or just being a good young citizen.

We will also be putting the spotlight on local campaigns that we have featured over recent years.

Local newspapers have an important role to play in the communities they serve and that’s a role we never take for granted at the Herald.