Union chiefs have warned the UK regional press industry is heading towards a “duopoly” after it was announced that an independent publisher is set to be sold to Newsquest.
The National Union of Journalists says its members at the CN Group are in “complete shock” following this morning’s announcement, which will see its titles change owner next month should shareholders approve the deal.
The NUJ claims that there are now “just two big players” in the regional press market, in the form of Trinity Mirror and Newsquest.
Trinity Mirror became the UK’s biggest regional publisher following its £220m takeover of Local World in November 2016, while other recent purchases by Newsquest include NWN Media, the Isle of Wight County Press and Romanes Media Group.
Chris Morley, pictured, NUJ Newsquest co-ordinator, said: “The rate of takeover of independent newspaper operators is speeding up with apparently just two big players in the market – Trinity Mirror and Newsquest.
“With Johnston Press paralysed by its debts, the industry seems to be moving to a duopoly of giant owners which is incredibly dangerous for diversity, given the ruthless substitution of unique content for shared material, and plurality of the media. There is too little choice for readers and too few opportunities for journalists.
“The CN papers have had a proud history of caring for and being a leading part of their communities. Despite the very best efforts of its journalists, this is not something that can typically be said about Newsquest with its relentless drive to strip out editorial jobs and fill the gap with user-generated content.
“The media ownership question is a serious issue for this country and politicians have to put away their warm words on plurality and be prepared roll up their sleeves to do something practical to keep a functioning and effective local press.”
Titles run by CN include Barrow-based daily The Mail and the Carlisle News & Star, as well as weeklies the Cumberland News, Hexham Courant, Workington Times & Star, Whitehaven News and the Advertiser, which serves southern Cumbria.
Jane Kennedy, NUJ Northern & Midlands organiser, said: ”This announcement has come as complete shock to our members and they are absorbing the news. While we are pleased that CN’s CEO, Millar Hogg, will be meeting NUJ chapels to answer questions, we will also be writing to [Newsquest’s CEO] Henry Faure Walker to ask for an urgent meeting to discuss his plans for the company.
“We will be telling him that members are already at full stretch and there is no slack in the system. We will be asking him for investment so they can continue to produce the quality journalism at the heart of their communities.
“We will be seeking assurances that redundancies which have followed recent Newsquest purchases will not be repeated at CN Group.”
Both Newsquest and Trinity Mirror have declined to comment.
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You seem to have forgotten to include Johnston Press
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I’m guessing the NUJ would rather these newspapers just close, like the Oldham Chronicle did. Excluding Johnston Press is ridiculous, it’s still a major player (and if I’m not mistaken, is recruiting journalists)
I’m all for choice too, though, and really wish there was an alternative to the NUJ which is paralysed by its hatred of big companies, to the detriment of its own members so often. Press releases don’t save jobs.
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Die a slow painful death or at least be given a chance. CN have chosen the latter. Sensibly.
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I was a member of the NUJ for more years than I care to remember during my 50 years in journalism. It was at a time when it was more or less compulsory to belong – but, sorry to say, it was useless when it came to the big showdowns – and doesn’t seem to have improved.
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I see the anti-NUJ brigade is still alive & kicking out there. Morley makes a frighteningly valid point – and, in other news the NUJ wins a pay out for its Oldham members – and all you can do is knock it. With idiots like you, of course it’s powerless!
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How can it be a valid point when he forgets to mention Johnston Press, still a major player in the UK local press? Over the last 12 months, Newsquest has bought four or five small publishers. There is still very much a big 3 – Newsquest, Trinity Mirror and Johnston Press, as well as Archant, plus Iliffe growing all the time.
Oldham’s a good case in point – what would the NUJ rather, local papers just went to the wall? Because that is the reality for small titles. The NUJ’s comments on Cumbria are embarrassing.
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If the staff are in shock now, wait till the redundancies begin (two or three months).
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Sorry GladImOutOfIt but The NUJ always seems to be knocking on the stable door once the horse has bolted. When I was at IPC they used to call the most ridiculous down tool strikes for no apparent reason and we all slavishly obeyed. They took our subs but there was never any strike pay. If the NUJ was as powerful as it sometimes makes out to be then newspaper owners wouldn’t trample over the newsrooms in the way they all too often do.
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How old are you, Wordsmith? And are you mixing journals up with printers? While the loonies lefties in Magazine and Book branches in London were getting madly militant, the rest of the NUJ in the sticks were busy trying to defend themselves. But that was over 40 years ago. Things have changed believe it or not. I mean … IPC? Who they?
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It’s amazing how some people are incapable of reading something and comprehending what it says. Chris Morley mentions JP in para 6. The thrust of the story is that we are MOVING TOWARDS a duopoly. It is a warning. Whether you agree with it or not, it is a valid argument based on evidence.
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David, we can read, and it’s very clear Chris Morley has discounted JP from any sort of purchase in the future when it made one of the biggest purchases in recent years of the i. It shows a complete lack of awareness of the industry, a desire to just be negative of big companies even though they look stronger than many of the smaller firms the NUJ used to lavish praise on, and a worrying lack of understand of what a duopoly is. Short of Newsquest buying JP, it’s not the direction we’re travelling. I think the criticisms of the NUJ are very valid here, but will likely go ignored by the NUJ.
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