Hyperlocal media and the news marketplace

This chapter explores longstanding tensions between the private and public media sectors in the UK, focusing on new entrants to the ‘market’ or media landscape: hyperlocal and community websites and groups. Drawing on empirical evidence gathered by a collaborative research project and a range of policy and academic texts, it explores the benefits and drawbacks of a number of possible policy options for invigorating and sustaining local media, including methods of public subsidy, the development of charitably funded media, and the development of inter-organizational partnerships. It also considers a broader theoretical question about the assumptions of the ‘marketplace’ model used to develop pluralism-friendly policy: to what extent does this metaphoric terminology hinder the protection of media plurality and diversity of voices and editorial content?