PRIME Minister Theresa May this week spoke out in defence of the free press as one of the "foundations on which our democracy is built".

Her stalwart championing of the press comes as Britain's newspaper industry is under pressure from a variety of sources, not least proposals in Parliament to impose new restrictions on free expression.

Newspapers nationwide are struggling with falling print advertising revenue and circulations.

Mrs May, announcing a review of the sustainability of the local and national press, said the closure of local newspapers was "dangerous for democracy".

"When trusted and credible news sources decline, we can become vulnerable to news which is untrustworthy," she said.

We at the Daily Echo believe strongly in our role to scrutinise both the public and private sectors and bring potential abuses into the public eye.

In recent months the Echo has worked to champion the concerns of our readers over proposals to merge county's nine Conservative-run councils into two new unitary authorities, keeping residents informed about the stages of the process and carrying opinions from both sides of the argument.

The Echo has put pressure on Borough of Poole to explain the delays in the bridge refurbishment, and led a campaign against its closure of public toilets, which caused consternation to many residents and visitors.

We have put pressure on Bournemouth council to justify its policies on homelessness, and such was the public pressure for change both Bournemouth and Poole boroughs have now reversed prior policies in favour of a new approach.

The Echo challenged Christchurch council over its controversial Highcliffe beach huts plans, which were eventually shelved due to widespread public opposition, and scrutinised the borough's decision to close the zig zag path at Highcliffe Castle.

The NHS Dorset Clinical Services Review, proposing major changes to the county's hospitals in particular, has caused public consternation, and the Echo has challenged the clinical commissioning group on its decisions in a bid to keep our readers informed.

Recent stories have dug into Bournemouth council's relationship with the private sector via its partnership with Morgan Sindall Investments as the Bournemouth Development Company, and its failure to incorporate affordable housing into its developments.

Recently attempts have been made in Parliament, in the wake of the Leveson Inquiry, to force publications to pay the court costs of their legal opponents even where they win their case, if they do not sign up to the state regulator Impress.

No major news organisation has signed up to this body, arguing that to do so makes a mockery of the free press.

Last month the unelected House of Lords made a move to resurrect this imposition on press freedom, backed by the Labour Party.

Mrs May reiterated her support for a "free press" and said the Government "will certainly be looking to overturn this vote in the House of Commons".