Join the Barnet Post team and special guests on June 12th to discuss the future of local news

Advert for Meet the Journo event in Mill Hill

Date: Thursday 12th June
Time: 7pm
Location: Mill Hill East Church, Salcombe Gardens NW7 2NT
Cost: Free (Optional donation)

Book your tickets here.

As part of Indie News Week 2025, the Mill Hill Residents’ Association and Barnet Post invite you to a special event about the future of local journalism and how it can better serve our community.

You’ll hear from journalists at the Barnet Post, The Guardian, the BBC, and other respected news outlets about the growing importance of local reporting in today’s media landscape, and how residents like you can help shape the stories that get told.

Why does this matter?
In the past 20 years, the rise of the internet and social media has destroyed the traditional business model for local news. Most London boroughs, Barnet included, have been left with little or no dedicated local reporting.

That means fewer journalists asking hard questions, fewer local stories about what matters to residents, and fewer ways for communities to hold local power to account.

Why is MHRA organising this?
At MHRA, we believe a strong local paper is part of a strong local democracy. We want to ensure residents not only stay informed but also have a say in how our local stories are covered. This event is about giving you a voice by connecting you directly with the journalists who are shaping our local news.

Meet the Panel:

Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter for Barnet, Enfield and Haringey, published in Barnet Post and other local papers

David Floyd, Editor of Barnet Post and Managing Director of Social Spider CIC, the not-for-profit publisher

David Brindle, former Public Services Editor at The Guardian and long-time Barnet resident

Professor Kurt Barling, former BBC Special Correspondent, now Professor of Journalism at Middlesex University

Chloe Hadjimatheou, Narrative Editor at The Observer

Whether you care about planning, transport, green spaces, schools or local services, this is your chance to speak up, ask questions, and help shape the future of local reporting.

Book your tickets here.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

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Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.