From: PSRosieWinterton
Sent:Wednesday, April 07, 2010 4:29 PM
To:
Cc:'Winterton MPST';
Subject:Meeting with Newspaper Society - follow up
Thank you for attending yesterday's meeting between Rosie Winterton and the newspaper society, and for the work you and colleagues did on putting together briefing. With apologies for not getting these to you sooner, please find below notes and action points from the meeting for follow up.
Attendees:
Rosie Winterton
- Newspaper Society
- CLG
- BIS
Key issues discussed:
1. Publication of the publicity code/guidance
2. The newly published Select Committee Report
3. Policy concerns about local authority newssheets
The newspaper society's concerns that the publication of local newssheets allows local authorities an opportunity to propagandise in their area and take revenue away from local newspapers. The newspaper society stated that Central government would not run a national newspaper and that local authorities should therefore not be able top publish local newssheets to promote their agendas. Independent local media is in a fragile position in the current economy and is being undermined by LA newssheets. This will risk removing them from the picture and therefore undermine their role of holding local authorities to account.
Concerns were rasied that there is significant variation in the practice of LAs in terms of the type and frequency of newssheets they offer and are an example of a regular newspaper which makes it hard for, the local newsagency, to compete. LA provided some information on figures for the number of newssheets and the level of advertising in them. She stated that monthly publications were damaging not just weekly/fortnightly. If residents want an A-Z of services this could be provided quarterly at the most.
It wasalso outlined that there is a lack of transparency in the cost base of LA newssheets which makes them difficult to challenge. They would like to see steps taken to make the information on financing more transparent. If the Audit Commission has not been able to be access information on the cost of newssheets it may be very difficult for local independent news agencies or taxpayers to do so.
It wasstated that most were observing the code but there was an increasing trend towards negative behaviour which they would like addressed. In summary the key concerns were:
1. lack of clarity in publication costs
2. that la newssheets are undermining local independent media
3. that they can be a propaganda vehicle for LAs which creates a democratic deficit.
Newspaper societywas also concerned about a lack of engagement with local and regional media by CLG. He wanted SCS level engagement through a meeting with representatives of the newspaper industry to explore the issues in detail -
The Minister responded that central government does publish information in the form of documents setting out what services are available and how taxpayers money is being spent. Local authority publications have value, including explaining what services are provided by central v local government, promoting the work of local government etc. The publicity code is clear that this information needs to be factual and there are ways that it can be challenged if it is seen to be propaganda. For example, residents can refer the issue to the district auditor if they do not feel the publications represent value for money.
The Minister asked the Newspaper society to work with you to provide evidence of:
- the type of advertising they object to in LA newssheets,
- how many are published more frequently than monthly and what the pattern is,
- examples of where publications may overstep the line e.g. not be identifiable as council published,
- examples of where publications have been challenged locally
- what the process is if taxpayers have concerns to raise
- further information on FOI requests that have been submitted, particularly around the costs of publication
Once we have this information we can consider the issue in the round and consider whether any changes are required to the publicity code or whether any areas of concern can be addressed through other means.
Please ensure you liaise with BIS and DCMS colleagues in taking this forward.
Many thanks,
- Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP
Private Office - Rt Hon Rosie Winterton MP
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