Trinity Mirror South West takes on new Devon reporters >>> "It is vitally important that local politics is scrutinised and reported on by an independent media."

There have been questions for some time as to how effective local journalism is in reporting on controversial issues and keeping politicians to account.

One problem facing journalists is lack of transparency:
Futures Forum: Concerns about transparency and lobbying continue in East Devon: pt 2
Futures Forum: Town Hall Secrecy Blamed for Decline in Local Democracy

There has indeed been investigative journalism looking at local issues - but it's often from professionals from outside the area:
Futures Forum: A history of the East Devon Business Forum, part seven ..... "The local mafia": Conflicts of interest in East Devon

And so local journalists often have to rely on the press release:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: the latest 'questionnaire' ... or: the latest exercise in public relations

Now they are up against even bigger forces, whether coming from central government:
Futures Forum: The Freedom of Information Act > plans to restrict citizens' right to information would “severely damage democracy”

... or from further afield:
Futures Forum: Big data and big lies...
Futures Forum: Fake news, the UK general election and local news
Futures Forum: Civil society under threat

In which case, journalists have to really examine their role:
Futures Forum: A conversation on power without responsibility >>> British Media in the 21st Century >>>

There are serious efforts afoot to strengthen investigative reporting:
Futures Forum: Debunking fake news in East Devon with 'on-line open-source investigation'

Here is the latest initiative to beef up local journalism:

DevonLive secures new local democracy reporters in pioneering BBC project

By Patrick Phelvin 15:45, 7 DEC 2017

Three democracy reporters will be recruited by DevonLive’s parent company to cover local politics in Devon and Cornwall. The BBC’s Local News Partnerships have taken a key step towards the creation of a pool of local democracy reporters to cover council and public meetings across the UK.

Trinity Mirror South West is now recruiting three reporters to cover local politics in Devon and Cornwall.

DevonLive.com editor Patrick Phelvin said: “With devolution once again on the political agenda, and a myriad of important decisions to be made, governing everything from housing to transport and social care, it is vitally important that local politics is scrutinised and reported on by an independent media.

“This partnership will help to strengthen our reporting team and ensure that we are holding our elected officials to account.”

DevonLive secures new local democracy reporters in pioneering BBC project - Devon Live

See also, from August 2017:
Can you trust the mainstream media? | Media | The Guardian
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