The News Media Association, the body which represents the national and regional press, has criticised the BBC's plans to provide 100 public service reporters.

The corporation today set out plans to offer staff and content to local newspapers and allow rival shows to be seen on the iPlayer.

Set out by director general Tony Hall, the move came a week after national and regional newspaper publishers urged the corporation to share resources and do more to promote commercial news rivals with a major report issued as part of the charter renewal debate. The BBC's current ten-year charter expires at the end of 2016 and it is currently facing a fight to defend and justify its use of licence fee income.