Local Newspaper Week, run by the Newspaper Society, is now underway and Scottish titles feature prominently.
This year’s theme is “Making a difference” andit highlights the best of local newspaper campaigning, including initiatives from The Sunday Post, the Edinburgh Evening News and the Glenrothes Gazette. Details can be found at http://www.localnewspaperweek.co.uk/.
The Glenrothes Gazette was successful in winning proper care for a blind 36-year-old woman suffering from MS who had spent three months in a dementia ward for over 65s. The Evening News campaigned to prevent the closure of local police stations as part of the Police Scotland changes, and the Sunday Post helped raise £1.3m for sick and vulnerable children through its support for the Kiltwalk events.
Fife Free Press editor Allan Crow, who has responsibility for the Gazette, told the Guardian’s Roy Greenslade: “The family came to us because they knew us, and trusted us with their story. Local newspapers achieve results like that every single week by speaking up for people and their communities.”
You can see all the campaigns on the website and vote for your favourite. The winner will be announced at the regional press awards which follows the Newspaper Society AGM in London this Friday, May 16
High-profile supporters of Local Newspaper Week include actress Dame Helen Mirren, Bank of England governor Mark Carney and Olympic triple jumper Jonathan Edwards.
Said Dame Helen: “Local and regional newspapers campaign on behalf of their readers, expose wrongdoing and corruption, and uphold free speech. These are just some of the reasons why I am supporting this year’s Local Newspaper Week …”
And Mark Carney said: “Our commitment to regional newspapers reflects the important role they play in helping us to achieve our mission: promoting the good of the people of the United Kingdom.”