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<p>The Government is committed to supporting local and regional news outlets as vital
pillars of communities and local democracy. They play an essential role in holding
power to account, keeping the public informed of local issues and providing reliable,
high-quality information.</p><p>To date the Government’s support for the sector has
included:</p><ul><li><p>Introducing legislation for a new, pro-competition regime
for digital markets, which among many other things will help to rebalance the relationship
between news publishers and dominant online platforms;</p></li><li><p>The delivery
of a £2 million pilot innovation fund - the Future News Fund;</p></li><li><p>The zero
rating of VAT on e-newspapers;</p></li><li><p>The extension of a 2017 business rates
relief on local newspaper office space until 2025;</p></li><li><p>The publication
of the Online Media Literacy Strategy.</p></li></ul><p>The BBC is editorially and
operationally independent of the Government, and decisions about how it delivers its
services are ultimately a matter for the Corporation. However, the Government has
been clear that the BBC must make sure it continues to provide distinctive and genuinely
local content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners
of the UK. These services are a key part of the BBC’s public service remit and an
example of how the BBC can use its licence fee funding to provide content that is
directly relevant to audiences, particularly in areas that may be underserved by the
market.</p><p>The Government expects Ofcom as the BBC’s independent regulator to ensure
the BBC is robustly held to account in delivering its public service duties.</p>
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