NEW research has revealed that local newspapers in print and online, such as the Echo, are the most trusted source for local news and information – way ahead of search engines and social media.

Commissioned by Local Media Works, the YouGov research found that local newspapers are more than three times more trusted than social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

Local newspapers, in print and online, scored highest with 74 per cent of respondents agreeing they trusted them.

Local radio came in second at 73 per cent, search engines scored at 43 per cent, social media was at 22 per cent and other websites scored 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 media 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.”

The Echo continues to cover the issues that matter most to the communities it serves and help hold local authorities and organisations to account.

Just last week, an Echo investigation by a team of reporters resulted in the uncovering of an illegal brothel operating out of flats in Basildon.

In February, footage filmed by an Echo reporter helped bring a woman to justice after she hurled abuse and threatened a victim of crime outside Basildon Crown Court. Essex Police contacted the Echo and asked for the footage to help their investigation.

Last year, the Echo was instrumental in bringing a hi-tech £2.5million PET-CT scanner into use after it had been sat idle in Southend Hospital since November 2014, while medics argued it should be sited in Basildon Hospital instead.

The campaign was shortlisted for a Regional Press award last year, alongside publications including the Manchester Evening News.

Chris Hatton, editor-in-chief of the Echo, said: “This serves to confirm what we had always hoped, that our readers come to us for the facts and an unbiased reporting of the news which matters to them.

“Whether it is backing the Southend Hospital scanner appeal, holding your local authorities to account or uncovering exciting new plans for the town, the Echo is here to represent you.”

He added: “In a time of significant pressure on the local media and with the unwelcome rise of ‘fake news’, it is reassuring readers continue to trust what they read both in these pages and on our website.”

The findings come after the Edelman Trust Barometer found trust in traditional media in the UK is at its highest level in six years.

Justin Marshall, associate director of YouGov, said: “As shown in the data from this research, trust in social media as a source of news is particularly low, followed by general internet searches, whereas trust in established news brands is greater.”