Cairncross review: Now the news is making the headlines

Does the UK press have a future – and what does that look like? How can the government sensibly support high-quality journalism in future years in the interests of local democracy?

These are just some of the questions that an independent think-tank is wrestling with, headed up by Dame Frances Cairncross. Her review, the Cairncross Review, will report to the government in 2019. Dame Frances plus two committee members met Bury Free Press editor Barry Peters and commercial manager Conor Lenaghan this week.

Digital journalism, training, hyperlocal publishing and the influence of internet search engines on journalism all provided food for thought for the group.

HuffPostUK editor-in-chief Polly Curtis and KM Group chairman Geraldine Allinson accompanied Dame Frances.

The review group will soon move on to the US to visit news outlets such as The Washington Post.