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Welsh Assembly inquiry split over merits of council-run newspapers Welsh assembly inquiry split over merits of council-run newspapers
(5 days later)
A split between members of the Welsh Assembly has caused a delay to the publication of a report about the state of newspaper publishing in Wales. A split between members of the Welsh assembly has caused a delay to the publication of a report about the state of newspaper publishing in Wales.
The central dispute is over whether councils should have the right to publish their own free papers in competition with commercial papers.The central dispute is over whether councils should have the right to publish their own free papers in competition with commercial papers.
Ken Skates, a Labour AM and former journalist who chairs the inquiry group, wants the report to reflect concerns about the council freesheets.Ken Skates, a Labour AM and former journalist who chairs the inquiry group, wants the report to reflect concerns about the council freesheets.
Peter Black, a Lib-Dem AM, believes councils should be allowed to publish their own titles. Peter Black, a Lib Dem AM, believes councils should be allowed to publish their own titles.
The divide was revealed by Bethan Jenkins, a Plaid Cymru AM, who said: "The problem is that we don't have sufficient evidence. Ken only started asking questions on this issue halfway through the process."The divide was revealed by Bethan Jenkins, a Plaid Cymru AM, who said: "The problem is that we don't have sufficient evidence. Ken only started asking questions on this issue halfway through the process."
An inquiry group meeting is expected at the end of the month, or early May, to see if the impasse can be broken.An inquiry group meeting is expected at the end of the month, or early May, to see if the impasse can be broken.
The issue of council newspapers came to attention when local government secretary Eric Pickles said he wished to ban "town hall Pravdas" in order to preserve an independent local press.The issue of council newspapers came to attention when local government secretary Eric Pickles said he wished to ban "town hall Pravdas" in order to preserve an independent local press.
His department later issued a code that prohibits councils from publishing papers more frequently than every quarter.His department later issued a code that prohibits councils from publishing papers more frequently than every quarter.
Several councils have ignored the code, most notably the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Greenwich, which publish weekly papers.Several councils have ignored the code, most notably the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Greenwich, which publish weekly papers.
Many others have continued to publish on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, including Swansea city council, where Black is a councillor. It publishes a bi-monthly, the Swansea Leader.Many others have continued to publish on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, including Swansea city council, where Black is a councillor. It publishes a bi-monthly, the Swansea Leader.
Black says: "Councils should be in the business of informing their residents of what's going on in the local area... It's a perfectly legitimate activity for a local council to undertake.Black says: "Councils should be in the business of informing their residents of what's going on in the local area... It's a perfectly legitimate activity for a local council to undertake.
"It can actually save the council taxpayers money by incorporating advertising which otherwise would cost a fortune.""It can actually save the council taxpayers money by incorporating advertising which otherwise would cost a fortune."
By contrast, Skates, a former journalist with the Wrexham Leader, broadly agrees with Pickles.By contrast, Skates, a former journalist with the Wrexham Leader, broadly agrees with Pickles.
However, the Welsh Local Government Association has said council-run papers keep residents informed about services and provide information that may not be available in commercial local papers.However, the Welsh Local Government Association has said council-run papers keep residents informed about services and provide information that may not be available in commercial local papers.
A spokesman for the Welsh National Assembly said the group's report was still expected next month. A spokesman for the Welsh national assembly said the group's report was still expected next month.
Source: WalesOnlineSource: WalesOnline