Newsquest Media Group plc is to join the Newspaper Society as a full member from January 1, 2001.

The decision was welcomed by Newspaper Society president Alec Davidson.

He said: “This comes at a time when the industry is going through a period of dynamic change. The Newspaper Society is embracing that change. I look forward to Newsquest playing a lead role in the Society’s development. This will strengthen the Society in its key role of promoting the industry’s interests.”

Jim Brown, executive chairman of Newsquest, said: “We are joining the Newspaper Society during the present phase of our rapid development as a lead player in the UK regional newspaper industry. The Newspaper Society now more fully represents the needs of the industry it is here to serve. Newsquest looks forward to playing an active role in the Society.”

Newsquest, the second-largest regional press group in the UK, was acquired last year by US group Gannett.

It publishes more than 200 regional newspaper titles, including 15 dailies, 64 weekly paid newspapers and 124 weekly free newspapers. It acquired Newscom in June.

Newsquest’s newspaper titles currently include the Northern Echo, Bradford Telegraph & Argus, Southern Daily Echo, Hampshire Chronicle, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Brighton Evening Argus, Oxford Mail and the world’s oldest newspaper, Berrow’s Worcester Journal.

It also runs numerous magazines, supplements and special publications, 27 internet sites, contract print facilities, a leaflet and sample distribution service, along with a national sales division. Newsquest’s internet activities include the “This is” sites, Shoppers World, partnership in Fish4 and participators in Schoolsnet and Fsauctions.

David Newell, the Society’s director, said: “I am delighted by Newsquest’s decision. The Society is at its strongest when it represents the whole industry and has the active involvement of all publishers. The Society must continue to adapt to the changing needs of the industry it exists to represent.”

For more information, visit the Newspaper Society’s website here

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