The BBC has been ordered to work more closely with publishers amid growing concerns about the threat it poses to the future of independent local news. Industry regulator Ofcom will also be told to produce an annual report looking at the impact the corporation is having on local news in the UK. The instructions are contained in the government’s mid-term review of the BBC’s Charter, its contract with the government which is underpinned by the licence fee, paid by every household in the UK. The mid-term review also gives media regulator Ofcom greater powers to scrutinise the BBC’s online services…
