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Caroline Spelman, the Shadow local government and communities secretary has decided to go into bat for the owners of crap local papers. You know the ones - not much news and a declining readership of mostly elderly folk.
Now local councils have realised that communicating with the public - a duty of theirs - is not well served by relying on local papers that two-thirds or more of local residents don't read. These Councils produce their own newspapers - Bradford does this with the (multi-award winning) Community Pride.
However, Ms Spelman is entitled to her opinion. If she thinks local newspapers are fab that's just dandy. But what she's proposing - changing the law to stop local councils producing their own news sheets - is wrong. And none of her business. If local councillors decide that this approach is best for the residents they serve that should be their choice. Of course if those residents agree with Caroline they can vote someone else in, collect petitions, write to the paper or whatever.
Caroline - our policy is called LOCALISM, That means it's our bloody decision not yours. Understand?
(Editors note: my wife is Advertising Director for a local newspaper and has approved this post)
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2 comments:
What makes it Caroline Spelman's business? Of course there's nothing more important, at the moment, is there.............oh, wait......
Sometimes, just sometimes, I despair. :(
It is often seen by the local plebs as "proper gander" which it usually is. We here in the East Riding get a monthly "Award Winning News Paper" which is not news (which it cannot be at monthly intervals) but is merely publicly funded political self praising on behalf of the Conservatives. God knows what it would be like if it were a labour controlled council.
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