The strengths of the regional press in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks on America have been highlighted by Regional Independent Media chairman Lord Fowler.

Presenting the company’s preliminary results, he said the attacks had not just affected the industry from a business point of view, but demonstrated its unique place for presentation of news and analysis.

He said: “It is impossible to look back on the year without recalling the outstanding coverage by all our dailies of the horrific events as they unfolded on September 11 and their aftermath. The dramatic presentation and the measured analysis of the Yorkshire Post were particularly noteworthy.

“It is instructive to recall, too, that while the events could be watched live on every TV channel and coverage continued around the clock, it was to newspapers that people turned as a record of the history made before their eyes.

“Our newspapers saw sales increase dramatically and many of those copies will now be stored away, preserving a contemporary snapshot of the day the world awoke to new realities.

“It was a powerful demonstration that in an on-line world of instant communication, there is still a special place for regional newspapers, a medium which has nourished the trust of its customers over three centuries.”

His chief executive Chris Oakley also highlighted the strengths of the regional press industry in times of crisis.

He said: “The events of September 11 demonstrated clearly that, however many sources of information and whatever quantity of coverage there may be of major events, people naturally turn to newspapers to absorb the information at their own pace and as their record of history.

“Circulations of all daily newspapers rose as the terrible events unfolded hour by hour and on the days immediately following.

“Our titles were no exception. Our editors and their staff are to be congratulated for their exceptional work in producing extra editions and for the considered way in which news and comment was presented.”

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