Local journalism remains one of the strongest forces connecting communities during periods of uncertainty and division, a senior BBC local services leader has said, warning that losing regional reporting would weaken both public service broadcasting and community life across the UK.
In a commentary reflecting on the role of local media, Robert Thompson, interim director of BBC Local, argues that stories rooted in neighbourhoods and everyday experiences provide stability at a time when national headlines are often dominated by conflict.
When the world feels divided and headlines scream conflict, one thing still unites us: our local community. In uncertain times, the stories unfolding on our doorsteps become more essential than ever.
Robert thompson, interim director, bbc local
The BBC recently launched its annual Make A Difference Awards, promoted on The One Show, with all 39 local radio stations in England inviting nominations celebrating individuals who have made exceptional contributions in their communities. Similar initiatives are supported by BBC teams in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Thompson says that reporting stories from across the country is essential to maintaining a shared national identity, while local journalism does more than deliver information, it reassures audiences during crises, celebrates achievements and strengthens community ties.
The BBC’s local network includes 39 radio stations, 11 regional television programmes and 43 online news services. Staff working within these outlets are embedded in the communities they serve and play a key role during major incidents, including coverage following the Manchester synagogue attack and a train stabbing in Huntingdon last year.
Alongside news reporting, local teams also showcase cultural and community events. Initiatives cited include BBC Radio Leeds’ Bantam of the Opera Choir, livestream coverage of Gloucestershire’s annual cheese-rolling competition and extensive grassroots sports reporting.
Sport coverage remains a major part of local output, with BBC teams providing live commentary and reporting across more than 180 sports clubs nationwide.
Audience figures outlined in the commentary demonstrate the scale of engagement. BBC Local Radio in England reached around 4.7 million weekly listeners last year, while the 6.30pm regional television news programmes regularly attract larger audiences than any other UK TV news offering in the same slot, reaching about 7.6 million viewers each week. Online services also continue to expand, with BBC Sounds attracting 382,000 weekly active accounts for locally produced content in 2025 and online news in England averaging weekly traffic of 17.4 million.
The article comes as the Government reviews the BBC’s Royal Charter through a Green Paper consultation examining the organisation’s funding and governance. The author encourages those concerned about local storytelling and the creative industries to take part before the consultation closes on 10 March.
Warning against declining regional reporting, they conclude that “when local news disappears … so does a piece of who we are.”
