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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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
Source: WalesOnline | Source: WalesOnline |
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