Bedford Independent

The Bedford Independent was launched on social media on 13 August 2018 initially only publishing articles on Facebook.{{Cite news|date=2018-08-19|title=New Bedford news business to fill journalist 'void'|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-45184251|access-date=2022-01-10}} Reaching "in excess of 250,000" people on social media,{{Cite web|title=Bedford Independent website goes live for first time - Journalism News from HoldtheFrontPage|url=https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2018/news/website-founded-to-fill-void-of-local-news-goes-live-for-first-time/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=HoldtheFrontPage|language=en-GB}} it launched a dedicated news website on 28 November 2019 and also launched a presence on YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.{{Cite web |last=Musariri |first=Dorothy Musariri |date=2018-08-28 |title=Former radio journalist launches new Bedford title following local paper closures as he claims news coverage 'not like it used to be' |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/former-radio-journalist-launches-new-bedford-title-following-local-paper-closures-as-he-claims-news-coverage-not-like-it-used-to-be/ |access-date=2022-01-10 |website=Press Gazette |language=en-US}}

Initially, the Bedford Independent also published a short print version of their most read stories each month in their sister publication The Bedford Clanger, but printing ended during the COVID-19 pandemic and The Bedford Clanger was moved online as part of the Bedford Independent's main website.{{Cite web|date=2021-10-14|title=Relaunch of the Bedford Clanger's essential 'What's on' guide|url=https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/thebedfordclanger/2021/relaunch-of-the-bedford-clangers-whats-on-guide/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=The Bedford Clanger|language=en-GB}}

The publication is run by Paul Hutchinson, former Chiltern FM deputy news editor; Erica Roffe, founder of local arts and culture magazine the Bedford Clanger; and commercial director Julia Course-Crofts, who has worked for titles including Bedfordshire on Sunday, MK on Sunday, Affinity Magazine and The Bedford Clanger.{{Cite web|title=Bedford Independent website goes live for first time - Journalism News from HoldtheFrontPage|url=https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2018/news/website-founded-to-fill-void-of-local-news-goes-live-for-first-time/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=HoldtheFrontPage|language=en-GB}}

The editorial style is politically independent and articles are neutral in their presentation. Their editorial policy takes an active stance against sensationalism, clickbait and fake news.{{Cite web|last=Sharman|first=David|title=Lib Dems 'undermining genuine journalists' says Bedford Independent - Journalism News from HoldtheFrontPage|url=https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2021/news/lib-dems-undermining-genuine-journalists-says-independent-news-site/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=HoldtheFrontPage|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=About us - Bedford Borough news from the Bedford Independent|url=https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/about-us/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=Bedford Independent|language=en-GB}} They follow a 'reader first' approach and a broadcast media style of reporting through video from the scene of stories.

Notable stories include the "'North Wing' Bedford Hospital fire", which was picked up by national media{{Cite web |last=Bazaraa |first=Danya |date=2019-01-03 |title=Huge flames seen pouring from windows at Bedford hospital building |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/breaking-bedford-hospital-fire-huge-13809628 |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=The Mirror |language=en}} and the confirmation that Comcast had bought land in Bedford Borough to be used as a possible Universal Studios theme park.{{Cite web |last=Hutchinson |first=Erica Roffe & Paul |date=2023-12-19 |title=Breaking news: Universal Studios confirm they are planning a theme park in Bedford Borough |url=https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/breaking-news-universal-studios-confirm-they-are-planning-a-theme-park-in-bedford-borough/ |access-date=2023-12-22 |website=Bedford Independent |language=en-GB}}

In 2022 the Bedford Independent gave written evidence to the UK Government's Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee for their investigation into the sustainability of local journalism.{{Cite web |date=6 September 2022 |title=DCMS written evidence Sustainability of local journalism |url=https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/110528/pdf/ |access-date=23 April 2023 |website=UK Parliament}}

As a result of this, they were invited to give oral evidence to the committee during a hearing at Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Culture.{{Cite web |date=28 June 2022 |title=Formal meeting (oral evidence session): Sustainability of local journalism. |url=https://committees.parliament.uk/event/13961/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/ |access-date=23 April 2023 |website=UK Parliament}}

The Bedford Independent's evidence both written and oral was then used by the DCMS Committee to write their report into the sustainability of local journalism and make various recommendations to the UK Government.{{Cite journal |date=17 January 2023 |title=Sustainability of local journalism |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmselect/cmcumeds/153/summary.html |journal=Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee |issue=7 |pages=12, 19, 20, 24, 26, 40, 41, 42}}

The Bedford Independent is regulated by independent press regulator IMPRESS.{{Cite web|title=Regulated Publications {{!}} IMPRESS|url=https://impress.press/regulated-publications/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=impress.press}} They are also a member of the Independent Community News Network (ICNN).{{Cite web|title=ICNN Members|url=https://www.communityjournalism.co.uk/icnn-members/|access-date=2022-01-10|website=Centre for Community Journalism|language=en-GB}}

Co-managing editor Paul Hutchinson also sits on the IMPRESS Standards Code Committee{{Cite web|title=Code Committee {{!}} IMPRESS|url=https://www.impress.press/page/committees-and-panels/code-committee.html|access-date=2022-01-10|website=www.impress.press}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://BedfordIndependent.co.uk Bedford Independent]
• [https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/thebedfordclanger/ The Bedford Clanger]

Category:Newspapers published in Bedfordshire

Category:Newspapers established in 2018

Category:2018 establishments in England