Thursday, 14 May 2009

Local press versus council newspapers: Letters to The Journalist are now online

The Journalist has put its latest issue online, which includes letters about the piece I wrote about the local press and Town Halls, which I referred to here.
It includes the letter on behalf of journalists working for Tower Hamlets' East End Life, which is seen as the model for the newspaper-style council papers causing concern to the local press.
Roy Greenslade has a cracking story today about how East End Life tried to obtain a rota pass to cover a royal event by claiming to be published by Trinity Mirror.
Also Martin Belam at currybetdotnet has posted how Haringey Council publications compete for advertising with the local press.
I am still alarmed by what a journalist asked at the JEE Camp "unconference" in Birmingham last week. "Supposing the BNP takes control of a council and its newspaper in the local elections?" That scenario looks more possible given the growing disillusionment with conventional politics in the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal.

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