"This book lays bare the 'democratic deficit' that ensues when local newspapers no longer properly hold councils up to scrutiny. The less accountable public servants are the worse their decision-making becomes - and as a society we are the poorer for it." -- Tim Minogue, Editor, 'Rotten Boroughs', Private Eye "This important book shines a light on one of the great tragedies of the modern media age - the decline of local journalism - and it explains what that means for democracy and accountability. In the age of ubiquitous free information many local communities are less well informed today than they were in the age of steam." -- Dominic Ponsford, Editor, UK Press Gazette "Like the authors, I learned my trade on a local newspaper and even became a specialist 'municipal correspondent' covering council affairs. Much as the decline of the regional press fills me with despair, it is vital for our democracy that we find new ways of holding power to account in local communities. This timely analysis of the impact of emptying press benches in our town halls during the austerity years offers rich food for thought on how we might do so." -- David Brindle, Public Services Editor, The Guardian "It is essential that local authorities are able to communicate what they are doing and that local media can hold them to account.

This book demonstrates how both are at threat, to the detriment of local democracy and ultimately the day-to-day lives of citizens." -- Matt Tee, Chief Executive, IPSO . Much as the decline of the regional press fills me with despair, it is vital for our democracy that we find new ways of holding power to account in local communities. This timely analysis of the impact of emptying press benches in our town halls during the austerity years offers rich food for thought on how we might do so." -- David Brindle, Public Services Editor, The Guardian "It is essential that local authorities are able to communicate what they are doing and that local media can hold them to account. This book demonstrates how both are at threat, to the detriment of local democracy and ultimately the day-to-day lives of citizens." -- Matt Tee, Chief Executive, IPSO.