Johnston Press has come in for a lot of criticism after announcing its plans to close a raft of local newspapers, but one publisher has seen an opportunity to offer a lifeline to redundant journalists.
Danny Lockwood, who publishes The Press – a local newspaper based in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire – is offering help to any journalist who wants to set up their own newspapers in nearby local towns.
Lockwood told Hold the Front Page: “If any sacked Johnston Press staff want to collaborate on launching a low-cost, locally-driven product, they can contact me and I will be more than willing to help.”
He is offering production, back office, print and distribution assistance, and what he wants in return is “a bit of local passion, pride and someone on the ground to write stories and flog local ads”.
As Johnston Press continues to anger journalists and locals with its attitude to local news publishing, Lockwood’s enthusiastic attempt to provide for local areas is an encouraging sign that the hunt for profits isn’t all that drives the local press.
(Source: Hold the Front Page)
