Blair Support For Regional Newspapers – NS AGM

Labour leader, Tony Blair, speaking at the Newspaper Society’s AGM last week acknowledged the “tremendous importance” of the regional press. Noting their “enormous readership”, Blair paid tribute to the role that local papers play, although he did not touch on any of the issues currently concerning publishers such as cross-media ownership restrictions or self-regulation of the press.

Gerry Copeman, chief executive of Eastern Counties Newspapers Group, was elected president of the Newspaper Society for 1995/6. He takes over the title from Gerry Holbrook. Ian Park, managing director of Northcliffe Newspapers, and who retires on May 15th, was awarded the Newspaper Society’s Presidential Prize. This is awarded to those who “have given exceptional service to the regional newspaper industry.”

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