LGA Governance


Agenda item

Agenda item

Discussion with Mike Burton, Editorial Director of The MJ

Minutes:

Sir Merrick thanked Mike Burton for agreeing to address the Councillors’ Forum at such short notice after Mike Sergeant had to cancel.

 

Mike spoke about the difficulties that the local media business model is facing, with advertising moving to the internet and circulation decreasing. He acknowledged that this can make councillors’ jobs more difficult because of the diffusion of media outlets they are required to engage with, especially with the rise of social media.

 

National media is also facing many of the same problems as local media because people no longer see news as a commodity that they are prepared to pay for.

 

Mike believes that cuts have garnered sympathy for councils and that the recent floods have not damaged the public image of councils, with the blame being placed instead on national government.

 

Mike advised members not to underestimate personal contact in getting their messages across, especially during a crisis. During these times, councils should try to be proactive and move the media agenda on themselves.

 

Finally, Mike said that he thinks the LGA is doing a good job, particularly in getting the message out about local government finance cuts.

 

Members raised the following points:

 

·         The tendency of local media in recent years to become for like tabloids.

·         Whether the MJ should promote better relationships between local and national government.

·         What the future of local government might look like.

·         How the media choose which stories to run with.

 

 

Supporting documents: