The Digital Britain report, published this afternoon, evokes the government's attitude and pledges to a rapidly evolving news industry, underlined by the recognition that both traditional and technological forms of news provision require both respect and support.

Recognising the economic pressures pressing on the news industry, the report asserts that citizens, government and industry will have to work collaboratively to financially maintain the 'vital civil function of journalism.'

The report outlines envisioned financing models. It is seen that the commercial model will continue, developing alongside increasing use of new technologies by publishers. There is, however, recognition that this needs to be supplemented by alternative models, such as non-profit organisations, community ownership and community media.

The implications of the products of these financial models are given a balanced consideration. The emergence of online community news websites, as projects of large companies, such as 4ip and Screen West Midlands, are seen to be 'good for local pluralism and expression as commercial funding for traditional media diminishes' in the medium term. However, there is an awareness that existing structures are disintegrating quicker than new ones are emerging, thus to avoid any hiatus in reliable news provision, it is necessary both to 'trust' modern ventures such as hyper-local projects, but also help existing platforms to move forward.

The government reaffirms its commitment to a free and independent press. It esteems that self-regulation continues to be the best way to ensure that the press remains impartial and reliable.

To confront the issue of mergers and consolidation, the government worked in conjunction with the Office of Fair Trading, taking into consideration the structural challenges to traditional regional news business models. The existing UK merger regime is designed to protect the consumer from any negative types of consolidation. The regime is evidence-based and thus flexible, to work in the interests of preserving the existence of regional papers, the values of which will be studied case by case. The adverse effects of authority owned newssheets, which consume advertising revenue, on independent publications have also been considered, and the report has invited the Audit Commission to review this practice.

It is significant that the government plans to give greater attention to 'media public interest provisions'. The OFT has recommended the unprecedented inclusion of public interest provisions in regional and local paper mergers. It is also deemed that alterations would take into consideration the need for 'independent investigative journalism'. It will be interesting to hear the reactions of the National Union of Journalists and media representatives, several of whom are currently involved in educating a Parliamentary Select Committee on the printed news industry as it investigates the future of local and regional newspapers.

Source: Department for Culture, Media and Sport