NLive Radio has been awarded the contract to host the Local Democracy Reporter for Northamptonshire, becoming the first community station in the UK to do so.
They join Manx Radio as the only other broadcaster chosen to provide the service, with the rest of the 165 contracts going to mainly newspaper-based businesses.
Funded by the BBC and overseen by an independent editor, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) was created in 2017 to address the decline in local journalism. It supports impartial reporting on decisions made by councils and other public bodies, with stories shared across participating media outlets.
Nadia Lincoln, who has been the LDRS reporter for Northamptonshire since September last year, will now be based at NLive Radio. Nadia studied Journalism Studies at university, graduating with a first-class degree and an NCTJ qualification.
Station Manager Martin Steers said this marked a significant moment for both the station and community radio more widely. “The LDRS contract puts NLive Radio at the forefront of local accountability,” he said. “It also validates the important role that community radio can play in strengthening local democracy.”
The partnership also expands opportunities for journalism students. UON’s Becky Bradshaw said: “Our students are already benefitting greatly from our link to NLive Radio. Rubbing shoulders with the LDRS reporter will only strengthen the experience they need for successful careers in journalism.”
Nadia added: “It’s a very exciting time in local politics and I’m thrilled to go forward with the support of NLive, who I know are extremely committed to working for the best of Northampton and the community.”
National World has 17 with 24 reporters, Newquest has 26 with 36 reporters, Tindle has one, whilst Reach has the most at 54, with 83 reporters.
In Scotland, DC Thomson holds four contracts and employs 3.5 reporters.
In total, 15 different media organisations from across the UK have been awarded or re-awarded at least one of 118 contracts following completion of the award process. The new contract period will initially run for a two-a-half-year period to the end of the current BBC Charter.