Debating Group Examines Council Newspapers’ Impact on Local Democracy

In a lively debate sponsored by JICREG at the House of Commons on Monday, newspaper managers and council communications heads locked horns over whether “The spread of council ‘newspapers’ will undermine local democracy.”

Chaired by Austin Mitchell MP, the well-attended debate was organised by the Debating Group, a parliamentary forum for media and marketing debate. Speaking for the motion were Howard Scott, managing director of Newsquest South & West London and chairman of JICREG, seconded by Brian Doel, group managing director of Tindle Newspapers. Against were Alex Aiken, strategy & communications director of Westminster City Council, seconded by Carl Welham of Core Communications/LG Communications.

Among those speaking from the floor were Malcolm Starbrook, editor of Archant’s East London Advertiser, and Chris Payne from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which publishes the rival weekly East End Life. David Holdstock, chair of LGCommunications, said the majority of councils were working with their local papers and that it was important not to focus on a small number of council publications which were skewing the debate.

Freelance journalist Peter Miller, who had previously published council newspapers, described them as “a dangerous use of taxpayers’ money” which should be curtailed.

The final word went to the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, quoted by Howard Scott: “I do not want the press to be the broadsheet of the local authority or the Government… Spin is neither a cornerstone nor a bulwark of a free society. What we need is independent, objective reporting.”

The motion was comfortably carried.

• BFP boss wins debate over council magazines (Bucks Free Press)
• Guardian series leads newspaper debate in Parliament (Staines Guardian)

For further information please contact Lynne Anderson on 020 7632 7421 or e-mail lynne_anderson@newspapersoc.org.uk.