Why is local news so important? And how do we protect it? Alan and Lionel are joined by Frances Cairncross for a special edition of Media Confidential. Five years ago, she was tasked with producing the Cairncross Review, which examined whether high-quality journalism could survive amid the rise of digital platforms. In this episode, the editors ask Frances about the decline of local news, despite the review’s recommendations to safeguard its future. They dissect why protecting local news is vital in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, and the risks of a growing number of people living in “news deserts”. Send your questions to [email protected], or via X, @mediaconfpod Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.