Lord McIntosh of Haringey, Minister for Media and Heritage, was the guest of honour at a recent Newspaper Society presidential lunch.
Lord McIntosh is responsible for broadcasting, press and censorship, gambling, libraries and archives, the historic environment, architecture and design, Royal Estate and DCMS business in the House of Lords. Discussions at the lunch, hosted by Society president John Robertson, covered media ownership issues, Gvernment communications, press freedom and the BBC.

Former Gloucester Citizen reporter Hugh Worsnip has received a national honour for his lifetime of achievement in journalism.
The National Union of Journalists awarded Hugh, (60), its Gold Badge in recognition of his 41 years’ service. He said: “I was nominated for this award by my colleagues, which must be the finest accolade you can get.”

The Chard and Ilminster News has a new reporter. Jodie Beecroft, who recently completed a National Council for the Training of Journalists pre-entry course, replaces Thomas Cock as the Ilminster reporter.

The News in Portsmouth is planning major publications to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day in June.
The paper, which has many maritime links, is asking readers to get in touch with their memories and photos of the historic event.

Baby Idol has been launched by the Evening Chronicle in Newcastle, where readers can clip coupons to get their baby photographed free of charge for an in-paper beauty contest.
It is one of a series of springtime promotions, which include Football Crazy, in the run-up to Euro 2004, a Green Fingers gardening offer – complete with 48-page supplement – and the Chronicle’s ever-popular bingo game.

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