The Press Complaints Commission can today announce that it received 1,018 complaints between January and March 2004, in line with the figures for 2003, when a record number was received over the course of the year.
Of those complaints that were investigated under the Code of Practice, over 50 per cent concerned the regional press, while 40 per cent related to national newspapers. The remainder was about magazines and specialist titles.

Newsquest Specialist Media has been officially launched following the integration of Newsquest Financial Media, Orpheus Publications and Newsquest Magazines into new offices in Cannon Street, London.
Newsquest Specialist Media is the new trading name of the group which publishes a range of leading B2B titles and specialist consumer magazines including: Insurance Times, Global Reinsurance, Strategic Risk, PortfolioInternational, Components in Electronics, Independent Electrical Retailer, Independent Community Pharmacist, Double Bassist, International Piano, The Strad, Choir & Organ, Classical Record Collector and Boxing News.

Interested parties in the Competition Commission investigation into Archant’s acquisition of local newspapers in the London region, previously owned by Independent News & Media, have until tomorrow to submit evidence.
The Commission has been asked by the Office of Fair Trading to consider whether a relevant merger situation has been created, and whether its creation could result in a substantial lessening of competition.

Former Southern Daily Echo reporter Peter East was given a standing ovation from his local council as he was handed a silver tankard to mark his retirement after 37 years as a journalist.
Council chairman John Hutchins said: “Peter has faithfully reported news about the council for almost two decades. He demonstrated integrity, understanding and a sense of humour.”

Westcountry Publications employees have been honoured for completing vocational courses to prove they are true management material.
Eighteen managers at the company – a Northcliffe Newspapers subsidiary and publishers of the Plymouth Evening Herald – have been awarded Level 3 NVQs in Management from the Chartered Management Institute.

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