Newspaper society calls for urgent action over council newspapers
The Newspaper Society has called for an urgent meeting with the UK government, demanding curbs on council-run publications, which it believes create “direct competition” to regional and local newspapers.
“Central government must not turn a blind eye to this practice any longer,” said David Newel, NS director. “It undermines local democracy and must be stopped.”
Earlier this week, the NS criticised the Audit Commission’s newly published research on council media, arguing that the report did not not address the “key issue” of the publications’ impact on independent local media.
Trinity Mirror CEO Sly Bailey said: “The Audit Commission’s involvement has been a complete waste of time as we knew it would be.
“It was obvious they were the wrong body to assess competition in the local media market or the impact of local activities on commercial entities. In some cases, council newspapers are using tax-payers’ money to compete directly with the independent free press.”
Similar posts:
- Darlington Councillor: Council newspapers and a ‘one-eyed’ local press
- New code for council newspapers being ‘considered’ in review of East End Life
- Evening Standard: Andrew Gilligan on council ‘propaganda’ newspapers
- Council news round-up: ad revenue shortage for East End Life and plans for new council TV
- Dan Mason: The ‘pathetic tirade’ over council newspapers
