Bob Franklin is Professor of Journalism Studies at the Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies. His previous publications include Television Policy: The MacTaggart Lectures (2005), Packaging Politics: Political Communication in Britain’s Media Democracy (2004) and Newszak And News Media (1997) amongst many others.

• Introduction, Bob Franklin Part One: Local Newspapers and Local Media  (1) Attacking The Devil? Local journalism and local newspapers in the UK Bob Franklin   (2) News on Local Radio Andrew Crisell and Guy Starkey  (3) What Future for Regional Television News? Richard Tait  (4) News From A Small Country: the media in Scotland Brian McNair  (5) The Regional and Local Media in Wales James Thomas  (6) Profits, Politics and Paramilitaries: The Local News Media in Northern Ireland Greg McLaughlin  Part Two: The Economics of the Local Press  (7) Local Journalism, Education and Training Peter Cole  (8) Profits Before Product? Ownership and Economics of the Local Press Granville Williams  (9) Industrial Relations and Local Journalism Gregor Gall  (10) The British Local Press: waking up to change? Rod Pilling  (11) Regulating the Local Press Bob Pinker  Part Three: Local Newspapers; Exploring The Range  (12) The Alternative Local Press Tony Harcup  (13) Real Readers, Real News; the work of a local newspaper editor Sara Hadwin  (14) A Right Free For All! Competition, soundbite journalism and the local free press Bob Franklin(15) Local news, global politics: Reporting the London bomb attacks Stuart Allan  Part Four Constructing The Local News Agenda  (16) Local Government Public Relations and the Local Press Shirley Harrison  (17) Hungry Media Need Fast Food: Regional journalism and the Government News Network Brent Garner  (18) The Role of the Freelance in Local Journalism Ros Bew  (19) Trading on Trust: News Agencies, Local Journalism and Local Media Martin Hamer  Part Five: Read All About it! Editorial Content in the Local Press  (20) Letters to the editor in local and regional newspapers: Giving voice to the readers Karin Wahl Jorgensen  (21) Open source? Hearing voices in the local press Karen Ross  (22) Out damned plot: the Evening Standard and the introduction of the London Congestion Charging Ivor Gaber  (23) Downgrading the ‘Local’ in Local Newspapers’ Reporting of the 2005 UK General Election Bob Franklin, Geoff Court and Stephen Cushion  (24) Ethics for local journalism Chris Frost  (25) Football Fanzines and Local News Chris Atton  (26) The Local Press and Freedom of Information Heather Brooke

'This inspiring collection... examin[es] contextual and practical matters at the forefront of a sector facing incessant challenges and change... There are many excellent chapters... the breadth and scope of subject matter, including fanzines and the alternative press, ensures this book is informative and provocative, and should inspire a wealth of much-needed research. It also provides essential context for anyone contemplating a career in journalism, a factor often sidelined in mainstream journalism training. - Sarah Niblock, Journalism Practice