Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 44
The Government’s response to the Cairncross Review recommendation to set up an innovation fund for...
Recommendation
The Government’s response to the Cairncross Review recommendation to set up an innovation fund for public interest news was welcome. But the Future News Pilot Fund was neither substantial nor long-term enough to make a significant difference, and there has been no follow up. The Government should build upon the Future News Pilot Fund and create a long-term public interest news fund with a remit to support innovation.
Government Response Summary
The government continues to explore options for additional fiscal measures to support the sector, while mindful of the current financial climate. Any further funding would build on the model set by the Future News Fund and take into account Nesta’s evaluation, as well as feedback from the local press and other interested stakeholders.
Paragraph Reference:
44
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Nesta’s End of Programme Report for the Future News Fund found that ‘shoots of a news innovation ecosystem’ were forming but that more funding is needed to sustain public interest news. This reflects the Committee’s own conclusion that the sector has a variety of innovative businesses, demonstrating the potential for a sustainable future if it is properly supported to adapt to the new realities of the marketplace. We continue to explore options for additional fiscal measures to support the sector, while mindful of the current financial climate. If we were to provide any further government funding of this nature, it would build on the model set by the Future News Fund and take into account Nesta’s evaluation, as well as feedback from the local press and other interested stakeholders. We would want any such funding to have a transformative effect on the sector as a whole.