LOCAL news is never trivial, because, in essence, that’s how most stories begin, even if they soon become huge. In an era of international updates, wires, apps and feeds, it is easy to ignore (even mock) this most grassroots of journalism. But the trivial, ‘bread and butter stories’ are the staple diet of most newsrooms.
Discussions on the value, even the definition, of local news are pretty relentless, and have gained momentum recently in relation to the Scottish Borders. This tranquil, rural area is a battleground for the debate on local TV coverage.
For example, should people in Galashiels get their ‘local’ TV news from Gateshead?