Leading public figures in the West Midlands are to discuss the future of Trinity Mirror newspapers in the area in a move to back quality journalism.

Some MPs, top business figures and other community leaders – including former CBI director general Sir Digby Jones and Institute of Directors’ West Midlands chairman, John James – will be guests of National Union of Journalists president Chris Morley at a breakfast meeting on Monday.

The event is part of the union’s Journalism Matters campaign and those attending will be asked to sign a public pledge supporting quality journalism.

Trinity Mirror put titles including the Birmingham Post and Mail up for sale last December.

The union fears that a new buyer might not have the interest of the newspapers at heart or invest funds to secure a strong future for quality journalism in the area.

Other titles affected include the Sunday Mercury, Coventry Telegraph and several weeklies.

Chris Morley said: “By calling this breakfast meeting, we have made a deliberate effort to build a coalition with different interests within the community who want to see effective and vibrant regional newspapers.”

He called on any prospective purchaser to declare their plans for the future.

He said: “They need to convince the West Midlands that they believe in quality journalism, that they have a robust longer term business plan to keep the likes of the Birmingham Post on the road to success and future vitality.

“Above all, they must demonstrate that they have deep enough pockets to put in the level of investment that is required.

“It will be in no one’s interest for the business to be acquired by owners who do not care passionately about newspapers nor believe in the strength of journalism to underpin them. There are too many sharp operators out there who see newspapers as a cash cow to be mercilessly milked for profit.”