Local newsbrands in print and digital - such as the one you are reading right now - are the most trusted source for local news and information, way ahead of search engines and social media, according to new YouGov research.

Commissioned by Local Media Works, the research found that local newspapers in print and digital are more than three times more trusted for local news and information than social media platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn.

Local newspapers, which are read by 42 million GB adults in print and digital, scored highest for trust with 74 per cent of respondents agreeing that they trusted the news and information in their local newspaper.

Local papers are the most trusted of all the other sources, coming ahead of local commercial TV and local commercial radio (both 73 per cent), search engines (43 per cent), social media (22 per cent) and other websites (39 per cent).

Craig Nayman, Local Media Works chairman, said: “This survey provides yet more compelling evidence of a resurgence of trust in traditional media outlets, with local media leading the way, as

the public become increasingly aware of the dangers associated with social platforms and fake news.

“In the current climate, trust is at a premium and advertisers large and small must recognise the clear advantages of partnering with local media in order to communicate with their audiences in a

safe, trusted, and highly effective environment.”

To find out how we can help your business, don’t hesitate to contact Jennie McPherson for south-east London and north Kent (News Shopper) on 07850 262 837 or Emma Sallabanks for south-west London (south London Guardian, Surrey Comet, Richmond & Twickenham Times) on 0208 722 6452 who will be happy to discuss your digital media and marketing solutions