Louise Mensch calls for local newspaper subsidy

Corby and East Northamptonshire MP Louise Mensch has called on the government to consider some form of subsidy to help local newspapers survive.

Her comments come as local newspaper publisher Johnston Press announced plans to move five titles to weekly editions only. That move will affect her own local newspaper the Corby Evening Telegraph.

“Residents of my constituency in Corby were unbelievably insulted to be told that the Corby Evening Telegraph will be replaced by an iPad app which excludes people on low incomes and elderly people who are not familiar with the internet” –  Louise Mensch

Johnston Press has said that the creation of “platform neutral” newsrooms will see a new investment in their online news websites as well as the new ipad application.

“At the same time the websites will receive a light touch re-launch with improvements to the home page and improved social networking and commenting functionality.  A deeper change is planned for July 2012.  As well as the launch of the new dedicated iPad apps for the major titles, the plans will see a substantial investment in marketing for the re-launch of online and print publishing.” – Johnston Press statement

Mensch hopes that the government will look into local press and take in considerations of subsidy to help.
Written by Shaun Linden