Young Audiences need Trusted News Sources, Bishops tell Lords

Government policy towards the news media should aim to promote the flow of information and mass communication, whilst setting standards of truthfulness, accuracy and fairness, Anglican and Roman Catholic Bishops have told the House of Lords.

Any policy should seek to ensure the special character of the UK's diverse news media, the Rt Rev Nicholas Baines, the Church of England Bishop of Croydon, and the Rt Rev John Arnold, Roman Catholic Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster, said in a joint submission to the House of Lords Communications Committee's inquiry into media ownership and news.

The news media, the submission notes, has traditionally been regarded as trustworthy, inclusive yet diverse, widely consumed by all age groups and all sections of society and reflecting the character and composition of society.

It is currently challenged, according to the bishops, by the growth of digital media, the convergence of formerly distinct media formats on the internet and the bias towards celebrity/personality news.

The industry also faces a trend towards fewer journalists, under greater pressure from editors, being employed in individual news outlets and the need for media organisations to compete for audiences.

"The most significant challenge facing the provision of news for society's health and wellbeing," said the Rt Rev Nicholas Baines, "is to engage younger people with trusted news sources on mobile and web-based platforms, whilst avoiding other news being excluded by celebrity- and entertainment-led news, which may enhance consumer markets but does not contribute to creating an informed and educated society."

"Continuing vigilance is needed," said Bishop John Arnold, "to prevent monopolies of news and information developing if the common good is to be served rather than simply commercial or market interests."

Any Government policy, the submission says, should, therefore be applied consistently across all media as far as possible, promote the common good as well as the interests of business and commerce, and portray fairly different worldviews and beliefs.

It added that encouraging intelligent news, explanation and analysis would promote an educated and informed society in which different communities increase their understanding of each other and the world.