Give local papers 'protected status' - MP

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2012/jun/14/local-newspapers-wales

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Local newspapers should have "protected status" in order to prevent them from arbitrary closure or sale, argues Plaid Cymru MP Jonathan Edwards.

He has called on the culture and media secretary, Jeremy Hunt, to nominate the papers as "community assets" under the Localism Act 2011.

Edwards believes local papers have a treasured position as unique repositories of history plus providing a blend of contemporary news and investigative journalism by staff embedded in their communities.

In expressing concern about the decline of the newsprint industry, he said that if such newspapers were categorised as "community assets", owners would not be able to close them overnight.

There would be a standstill period allowing for consultation on the paper's future and giving time for people prepared to bid for the paper.

He also said that Welsh communities would be best served by a mixture of print, broadcast and online media. Edwards said:

"Welsh newspapers are a treasured part of our heritage, reflecting a mix of local news, views and sports coverage. They are a place where many excellent journalists work and become part of their communities.

However they are increasingly under threat as part of a wider shift in readership habits and, sometimes, poor management. The Localism Act created a form of 'community assets' which could not be sold off without consultation.

If local papers could be included in this definition then it would recognise their local importance and prevent owners from closing down newspapers overnight and give time for new owners to come in, perhaps including a takeover by the local community."

Edwards said he "pushed" the government to expand the category of "community assets" to include local newspapers and allow the Welsh government to be able to do this to save any newspapers in Wales which come under threat.