Today, The Times Series joins forces with other local and regional titles across the UK to launch a campaign aimed squarely at the modern scourge on society that is so-called ‘fake news.’ 

Industry body the News Media Association has launched an initiative to highlight the checks and balances involved in reporting local news and the investment required to produce local journalism.

The campaign, which is being backed by The Times Series, also wants to draw attention to the unregulated and partisan nature of some news circulated on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, where fake reports have been circulated to cash in on opaque advertising governed by computer algorithms.

Entitled, Fighting Fake News, it will see local newspapers across the UK carry editorial and graphics highlighting the industry’s highly trusted credentials and the importance of local newspapers in reporting on the General Election.

It will also highlight the highly trusted environment which local papers provide for advertisers and commercial partners, following a retreat away from Google-owned search engine YouTube by some major retailers after their adverts appeared on sites and videos hosted by extremists.

On Monday, the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee accused large social media companies of a “shameful” failure to tackle online terrorist propaganda and hate speech.

Coordinated through Local Media Works, the local marketing arm of the News Media Association, Fighting Fake News will run up to and complement Local Newspaper Week from May 15 to 21.

We will be asking readers and advertisers to support us in delivering this message and to get involved in learning how we carry out our trade.

News Media Association chairman Ashley Highfield said: “The critical role of local newspapers in providing local communities with highly trusted news and advertisement platforms is even more important than ever in the run-up to the General Election.

“Through their reporting, local newspapers uphold, promote and support democracy, fighting against the fake news which undermines and subverts it. We must champion the vital democratic function of local newspapers now, more than ever.”

Last month, Tory MP Damian Collins, who chairs the Commons Culture, Media and Sport committee, called on social media firms to face greater obligations to act on complaints of misleading content.