Title

The culture secretary is set to deliver his verdict on whether to place limits on council-run newspapers to protect local media. The MJ has learned Andy Burnham will decide within weeks on whether the future of local newspapers are threatened by competition from council publications. His decision will be based on advice from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), which has already delivered its outline advice to the minister. The OFT has launched a consultation for views on the future of local publishing. Regional press barons have argued local authority papers have eroded advertising profits. Hammersmith and Fulham LBC's publication for residents has been highlighted by the industry as one example, and Barking and Dagenham LBC is due to launch a fortnightly title imminently. Last week, the Local Government Association (LGA) hit back at the media barons' claims, denying any rivalry. The LGA is encouraging councils to set up their own publications to promote their work. The move is part of the LGA's Reputation campaign, which was launched in 2005, after research found that two-thirds of people knew almost nothing about local government. LGA's chairman, Cllr Margaret Eaton, said council publications served a different role in the community from local news papers. Cllr Eaton rejected claims they were damaging local media, and pointed to the substantial sum councils spent on advertising in their local newspapers. She said: ‘Council magazines lead to higher levels of satisfaction with local authorities and help people access local services. ‘With the best will in the world, the local media cannot provide the same amount of information about how to access services as a dedicated council publication can.' But London mayor, Boris Johnson, has pledged to save money by scrapping the Greater London Authority's newspaper, The Londoner, and spend the money on planting trees in the capital.

Title

WHITEHALL

Council 'papers may face new restrictions

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING