{"id":12729,"date":"2023-05-25T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-25T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsmediauk.org\/?p=12729"},"modified":"2024-05-03T10:23:53","modified_gmt":"2024-05-03T09:23:53","slug":"local-news-sector-announces-full-launch-of-public-notice-portal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsmediauk.org\/blog\/2023\/05\/25\/local-news-sector-announces-full-launch-of-public-notice-portal\/","title":{"rendered":"Local News Sector Announces Full Launch Of Public Notice Portal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The News Media Association has announced the full launch of the Public Notice Portal \u2013 an initiative from the local news media sector to further promote public notices to communities and enhance local democracy by harnessing the sector\u2019s massive online audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The portal, which went live in a September soft launch, is backed by local publishers in membership of the News Media Association with others expected to come on board imminently, further strengthening the coverage of public notices across the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The site now displays more than 10,000 live notices at any given time with an average of 2,500 notices now being added by local publishers every week. The portal has been developed by the local news media industry – including Reach plc which built the website – with \u00a31 million from the Google News Initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public notices are surfaced on the main pages of local news websites, further enhancing people\u2019s access to and understanding of important information about planning, construction, transport links, roadworks, and licensing changes in their local area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The portal is fully searchable by postcode, type of notice, and – in addition to operating as a standalone site – delivers notifications for users who have signed up to receive alerts about particular types of notices, or notices relating to a specific geographic area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Media Minister Sir John Whittingdale MP said: \u201cNewspapers remain a vital source of trusted information about local government decision making, including through the delivery of public notices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Public Notice Portal is an excellent example of innovation from our local news sector which will support local democracy by boosting online visibility of this essential information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEnsuring the activities of all local authorities are recorded in the portal will be key to its success, so I encourage local authorities and local press to work together to bring the full benefits of this tool to people across the UK.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a launch event in Parliament on Monday, attended by around 100 publishers, editors, Parliamentarians and industry stakeholders, former DCMS Minister Damian Collins MP said the portal was a “great initiative” which “goes with the grain of how local people access local news. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We know that local news gathering is hugely important for politics, for communities in terms of how they find out about the things that are happening in their area, things that they need to know. Without local journalism, without local media, that could not be done in the way it’s done now.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last week, in its response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee\u2019s report into the sustainability of local journalism, the government described the portal as a \u201cwelcome innovation\u201d from the local news media sector and pledged to keep public notices in printed local newspapers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It is clear that print newspapers still play a role in providing transparent and trusted information to local communities about local government decision making,” the response said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Public Notice Portal is designed to enhance the vital role of printed local newspapers in publicising public notices. Research from BVA BDRC shows that changing the requirement for local authorities to place public notices in printed local newspapers would see 10 million people, many of whom are in vulnerable or elderly groups, cut off from viewing the notices, creating a serious democratic deficit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newsquest chief executive Henry Faure Walker said: \u201cHighly trusted local news media has a critical role to play in ensuring public notices reach as many people in local communities as possible, ensuring the fullest possible scrutiny of the information they contain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs a sector, we have invested in the Public Notice Portal to further enhance and strengthen the role of local news media in promoting public notices by leveraging our large digital audiences.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Debbie Weinstein, VP & MD, Google UK & Ireland, added: \u201cThe Public Notice Portal is a brilliant example of innovation from the local news media sector, and we are very pleased to have played our part in this success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLocal news titles are essential in ensuring that people can access important information which will affect their lives and the portal will strengthen this vital democratic role even more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local news media is highly trusted by the public and reaches huge audiences. According to the latest audience data from JICREG Trust Local, the sector\u2019s audience measurement currency, 40 million people (73 per cent of GB population aged 15+) now read local news media in print and digital every month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, according to a separate survey by Newsworks\/OnePoll, 81 per cent of Brits agree that they trust the news and information they see in their local news media \u2013 local newspapers and their websites \u2013 a rise of seven per cent on 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n