Filling the local news gap and the future of journalism with David Floyd, Social Spider CIC

News matters to local communities. How can we generate the most possible resource available for local news and then produce the best possible local newspaper with that resource?This is the starting point for Social Spider, which publishes five local newspapers. David Floyd, MD of the 2003-established social enterprise, joins us to explain Social Spider's purpose-driven, sustainable approach to “fill the gap left by the retreat and decline of corporate local news."How? David explains, covering Social Spider's social, editorial and commercial models, its approach to quality journalism and revenue generation, how its newspapers are embedded within their communities – and why local news is a brilliant opportunity for social enterprises.With a staff team of 17 Social Spider is increasing reader membership numbers, advertising income, and impact. Having fantastic, high-quality content is only one part of making the model work, he says. David's observations on journalism and the media today, building communities, commercial and social models and initiatives like the Local Democracy Service are well worth your time.David's also a fellow of the Finance Innovation Lab which seeks new approaches to finance and investment which works for communities – his focus has been social investment. So I asked his view on how to encourage more or better social investment into social enterprises.Also in today's show: new funding opportunities for businesses and social enterprises, upcoming events, some book recommendations, and a round-up of other episodes covering the media. Enjoy the show! Timings and links:0 - 3:18 Introduction and some book recommendations: Iain Broome's A for Angelica, John Le Carré's Silverview.3:18 Interview with David Floyd. More about Social Spider here (http://socialspider.com), find David on Twitter, and read his blog here https://startspreadingnews.medium.com45:34 Reflections and summary of other episodes covering the media – eg interview with journalists Michelle Rawlins, Sam Walby and Bird Lovegod, Minreet Kaur, David Walsh. And another book recommendation, Rutger Bregman's Humankind.49:49 Funding updates – details of grants for businesses and social enterprises including the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant, Low Carbon Business Support and Business Productivity Grants. More here. And the Cultural Recovery Fund.51:38 Events: Sheffield Beer Week, Indie Beer Fest, Sheffield Adventure Film Festival. 'Meet the Locals', and 'Celestial Bodies', at Sheffield's Fronteer Gallery. Details and register for the Private View. Plus events from Business Sheffield and the Business & IP Centre.