Mike Bell - Weston-super-Mare's next Liberal Democrat MP

Government order inquiry into council publications like 'North Somerset Life'

3.47.34pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 24th Jun 2009

The government has ordered an inquiry into council-funded newspapers and magazines, including North Somerset Life, and the effect they are having on independent local press.

The Digital Britain report, published this week, said it would be "against the public interest" for local newspapers to be squeezed out of the market by a battle for advertising with local authority funded publications.

The report revealed that government ministers will now ask the Audit Commission to carry out an inquiry into the issue.

Mike Bell, the Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Weston-super-Mare, who has previously highlighted the costs of the local authority's 'North Somerset Life' publication, welcomed the inquiry.

"Publications like North Somerset Life are increasingly competing for advertising with local independent newspapers. Not only is this unfair, but it is also undemocratic. Whilst information sheets from local authorities do serve a purpose, they will inevitably not be as rigorous in holding their paymasters to account as independent local newspapers are.

"It seems bizarre that advertising in local newspapers is being squeezed despite universal acknowledgement by politicians of their importance to the communities they serve and the fact that they are better read and more trusted than any other media.

"The Government must not allow the role of local newspapers, currently facing real challenges in the face of the severe economic and advertising downturn, to be further undermined by the very body which is charged with helping to support local businesses."

A Freedom of Information request submitted by Mr Bell last year revealed that North Somerset Life cost taxpayers approaching £250,000 a year to produce.

North Somerset Life is unashamed in its pitch for advertisers: "as the only magazine delivered to more than 89,000 homes in North Somerset every month it is a very attractive prospect for would-be advertisers". (Source: North Somerset Council website)

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Next news story: Government allowing energy companies to overcharge Weston customers (Fri 26th Jun 2009).

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