Three journalists’ jobs are at risk as a result of a proposal to close a free weekly newspaper in Surrey, according to union claims.
The National Union of Journalists says publisher Newsquest is to axe the Elmbridge Guardian and close its offices in Twickenham.
The Guardian had a free distribution of 22,853 according to the latest ABC figures.
News of the closure emerged on the day that Newsquest announced it was also nearly 30 jobs at production hubs in Blackburn and Warrington with the work transferred to Newport, South Wales.
According to the NUJ, staff currently based in Twickenham will be transferred to Newsquest’s offices in Sutton.
Nobody from Newsquest London has so far been available for comment.
NUJ national organiser Laura Davison said: “Newsquest’s cost cutting is set to deprive another community of a local paper and move others to a centralised site.
“Once again the speed of the closure means there is no time to look at alternatives. The community and politicians need to act to defend local news. I hope readers will let Newsquest know they want investment in journalists and quality journalism, not more cuts.”
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Newspapers always want others to comment “in the interests of the public”, but whenever it’s anything about themselves it’s a different story every time (or should that be a non-story every time?)
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