Bleak Future for local press

It’s sometimes said that no news is good news, well myself I’m not to sure, and reading this article from the Independent, which speculates on the future of Kent’s local press.

Some of you will be aware of Kent Messengers proposed takeover of Kent Regional Newspaper titles which include locally the Gazette and Times, many will not be aware because neither newspaper publishers have chosen to discuss it other than a bland notice, the outcome will almost certainly be decided with no reference to the public.

While its understandable that local publishers would be reluctant to discuss their own interests, it is not as far as I know, an issue in which state broadcaster BBC has not bothered to discuss, despite BBC’s claims to be unique etc.

Assuming KM Group acquire a monopoly of local newspapers, they will be able to charge, what they like for advertising with no comparable competition, and of course they will be the only professional news gatherers in Kent’s districts, so news gathering will be dependant on the whim of the management of KM since there will no longer be any alternative to judge them by.

The Independent is saying that industry experts, expect the Office of Fair Trade, to allow the deal to go through, without of course, any proper debate, as I’ve already mentioned, local publishers have pretty much remained schtum, and no surprise the regional BBC Kent or South East haven’t covered the issue, they simply don’t have the competitive journalistic skills or  understanding of the implications locally or indeed nationally, as its clear that if KM group get the go ahead, it will set a precedent  that other newspaper publishers will be anxious to replicate, regional monopolies, across the country.

Finally when did you last see (for readers in Thanet) the KM Extra? I’ve not seen a copy for some time although the last one I saw, gave no evidence that Kent Messenger Group had much of an investment in news gathering.

Kent Newspaper takeover - How things change

How attitudes change over the years, I recently stumbled across this document published by the Competition Commission, basically it is a small snippet from an report concerning the aquistion by Trinity Mirror of a regional newspaper group MIN (Midlands Independent Newspapers) and I suppose, is really ancient history in media terms, dating back as it does  to 1997.

Currently as I understand it, the Office of Fair Trade, are consdiering evidence and comments from interested parties as to the likely effect of Kent Messenger Group's takeover (click here for  postings on this subject) and back in the nineties, things were different in the media, the internet was just becoming mainstream and Bignews Margate was still nine years away.

Now here are some of the comments which whilst addressing a different scale of newspaper acquisition (national publisher buying a smaller regional player|) it still has a relevance in the context of Kent Messenger Group taking over Northcliffe Newspapers Group's Kent arising from imput by Kent Messenger Newspapers " acquisition of smaller newspaper groups by larger newspaper groups was no longer in the public interest" now KM Group are not in the same league as Northcliffe Media but they have a bigger slice of the market with their radio stations and newspapers.

Although Kent Messenger was refering to large corporations acquiring smaller newspaper groups I think this is also think this excerpt from that report are relevant to the current situation  "corporations which had their own monopolistic reasons for paying a high price, perhaps even over-paying.

6.9. KMGN argued that, wherever a local or regional newspaper was acquired in this way, the public lost: (a) a company which completely and entirely focused on the good moral and financial health of its own region; (b) a company which was entirely composed of staff dedicated to the regions in which they operated; and (c) a company which maintained high editorial standards; in order to make larger profits to pay for greater investment by the purchasing party, savings were often made in the editorial department, which were never replaced.

I hope that the OFT take great care in reaching a conclusion as to the benefit of newspapers in Kent being owned by one company which has so far not in my opinion managed to produce a quality newspaper product in East Kent such as the Gazette in Thanet,  prime example the KM Extra.

KM Group's Takeover bid - Update on Politicians Views

Firstly an apology, to Roger Gale MP, last week I stated that the MP for Thanet North had not responded to my communication concerning the likely takeover by the Kent Messenger Group of Northcliffe Media's Kent newspaper which include Thanet's Gazette and Times.

Looking through my bills and junk mail this morning, I came across a letter addressed to me on House of Commons stationary dated 2/08/11 I'm not sure when this arrived but it's likely that it came before my last posting on this subject.

The expectation that Roger Gale MP would offer some crumbs of comfort, perhaps an impassioned plea to maintain local media diversity has resulted in me feeling a bit disappointed and I don't share his glib view but anyhow.

I hope the Office of Fair Trade will not just allow a monopoly to be created, Kent Messenger Group may well have served the county well but certainly not this part of East Kent and certainly not with the meagre offerings from the Thanet Extra of late.

Still we shouldn't necessarily take a glib view on these things, just now Thanet Council and Tesco have had the plans for an incongruous superstore derailed by Arlington residents and good thing too, in just what crazy world, would you want Tesco's as the back drop to an afternoon at the sea side.

Hopefully ordinary peoples view will be taken into account a little more often, given the hostility by residents, it was extraordinary that Cllr Jack Cohen recently used his casting vote to progress Tesco's plans but then as  I understand he lives in Birchington.

We are all part of the "Big Society" (its not some creation for Tory busy bodies) if you want to influence things make your voice known, down just let your politicos take the easy route, get involved.

Kent Newspaper Monopoly - Roger Gale, Laura Sandys, (Thanet's MP's) what do they think?

Well damn all it seems, I've not heard any pronouncements or views of any Kent politicians, maybe their oblivious or like the idea of Kent Messenger Group acquiring a virtual monopoly on local newspapers reporting in Kent.

*I contacted Roger Gale's office earlier in the week, to see if he could assist in revealing more information, I also hoped that my enquiry might provoke a reaction, unfortunately this does not seem to be the case. I did however get an email of Gales View on Thanet Labours anti jobs and anti business policy which while I agreed, did not hit the spot

I cannot help thinking threats to the future of the Mr Puss (the Flaig family cat) would probably be more likely to get a reaction, than the end of competitive reporting of local issues.

It seems staggering that local politicians don't have a view. In the case of Roger Gale, I know that some years ago, a rather shabby "story" was published in the Gazette, not surprisingly resulting in Roger Gale, transferring his "View" column  to the alternative KM Thanet Extra as there was the choice, which shortly may not exist.

I doubt either the Kent Messenger Group or even Northcliffe Media (who paid some millions for Kent Regional News and Media) are about to go belly up if this deal does not go through. 

It's perhaps an indication of the quality of our local politicians, it might be that either they don't care or even know what's going on.

For all postings on this subject click here, it seems despite living in a "democracy" this issue is not being reported elsewhere including the state broadcaster BBC South East or Radio Kent. WHY NOT?

Finally it seems strange that MP Laura Sandy's adept as she appears at having a view on most subjects is remarkable quiet on this matter.

*Since writing this I have received a letter typed on the day of my enquiry to Roger Gale, therefore this need be read in that context, and my apologies to Roger Gale MP.

SAY GOODBYE TO THE GAZETTE - YOU HAVE UNTIL MONDAY TO SAVE KENT'S NEWSPAPERS

As mentioned earlier, the time to make comments to the Office of Fair Trading concerning KM Group's submission to acquire Northcliffe Media's Kent newspapers is running out. You have until Monday 8th August.

It seems rather surprising and disturbing that the counties politicians have yet to comment but who would report it anyway. KM Group like the minimalist Thanet Extra and Northcliffe Media newspapers such as the Isle of Thanet Gazette/Times etc. are hardly going to wish to stir things up. Kent on Sunday stands to gain so their hardly going whip up a storm.

It's unfortunate BBC South East and BBC Radio Kent have not made this the subject of public discussion, I spoke to a Radio Kent manager who suggested I send him a paragraph, I didn't have the energy, what would be the point.

KM Group's take over of Northcliffe Media's Papers would be similar at a regional level to Murdoch taking over every national newspaper with the exception of say the Daily Express.

Anyway here are the key points of the likely outcome in my opinion if the Office of Fair Trading nod this deal through.

• NEWSPAPERS CLOSED – Is it likely KM Group will keep the Gazette and Times in Thanet as well as the Thanet Extra or indeed others across Kent.
• LOCAL NEWS POORER COVERAGE – The normal competitive process of reporting will cease. Particularly at district level.
• MINMAL COMPETITION  - Archant Media Group who produce Kent on Sunday, do not currently as I understand produce local district newspapers as in print form. Their papers like "yourthanet" exist purely in "e" format so lack the appeal of hard copy papers like the Gazette or Extra which you can browse news as well adverts Homes, Cars and of course Classifieds.
• HIGHER ADVERTISING COSTS – Businesses aren't charities and neither is the KM Group unrestrained by adequate competition what choice will business have when advertising rates rise.
• PUBLIC INTEREST – Local Democracy will be harmed as its almost inevitably journalists will be sacked and consequently resources wont exist to scrutinise local government.
• MEDIA MARKET SHARE – KM Group will if this deal goes through have a massive strangle hold on media with newsprint and radio, which cannot be in the public interest however well intentioned they might be.

The process of the Office of Fair Trading's deliberations into the consequences of this proposed takeover, are unfortunately not as open as would be desirable due to commercial confidentiality, so as far as the public interest is concerned its only possible to guess at KM's plans.

I suggest if you concur with my concerns that you mention it to those you know and also keep the Office of Fair Trading by contacting Raúl Nieto raul.nieto@oft.gsi.gov.uk Fax: 020 7211 8916.

PS Companies and organisation are being consulted by the OFT about KM's bid and therefore may be unable to comment or feel its not in their interest to do so.

Kent Newspapers to Close? OFT gives You only until August 8th to comment

As I see it, there probably isn't much time, if you would like to save our local Kent newspapers, in Thanet that would be the Times and Gazette, the Office of Fair Trading will stop taking consultations on this matter by the 8th August.

Ironically it appears that there is little news available to the public, in regard to the Kent Messenger Groups bid to buy Kent Regional News and Media (Northcliffe Media).

No surprise that when I contacted Kent Messenger group and Northcliffe Media execs, they were unable to offer any elaboration on this significant development to local news reporting .

So you may find my suggestion, that newspapers will close, as somewhat alarmist, HoldtheFrontPage website report informs us, that is the intention of Kent Messenger to integrate Kent Regional News and Media titles with their existing portfolio, as quickly as possible, admittedly integrate, could mean one of the two things, merging newspapers or merging the operational processes into one, either way, my opinion is this will lead to less competitive newsgathering and poorer reader content, also significantly less competition for the local advertising market,which must be bad for the business community (KM Group also have local radio media).

Understandably both parties in this acquisition are reticent to discuss the details (they are not charities) but as far as you and I are concerned, details and future plans are of public interest and to the end I have for the last few days been trying to contact the officer/manager in charge of the case at the OFT, who I take must be an extremely busy person,  it must be in the public interest to have more details, are journalists and editors an endangered species in East Kent and are we about to say goodbye to the heart and soul our communities.

If its the case that without KM Group purchasing KRN papers, newspapers would fold anyway, then good luck to KM Group, however if its a case of buying these papers is to secure a nice market stranglehold then, it should be stopped.

I doubt that either KM Group or Northcliffe Media's "Kent Regional" papers will be making too much noise on this one, so I suggest if you concur with my concerns that you mention it to those you know and also keep the Office of Fair Trading by contacting Raúl Nieto raul.nieto@oft.gsi.gov.uk Fax: 020 7211 8916.

Finally both companies do a good job in certain areas, and that's how I'd like to see it remain, its possible the KM Group might if their bid goes through vastly improve news gathering, still  if you take the KM Thanet Extra as an example, it appears journalistic resources have shrunk in the last few years.

PS I just wonder whether local politicians will wake up and smell the coffee on this one!

No News is Bad News from Kent Messenger Group

Watching tonight's South East Today, news comes that the KM group, publishers of the flimsy Thanet Extra,  are in the process of acquiring seven papers from Northcliffe Media, the seven papers of the Kent Regional News and Media group include The Isle of Thanet Gazette, Thanet Times, Herne Bay & Whitstable Times.

I imagine that this, is about as much a done deal, as is possible, for this reason KM Group have apparently informed the Office of Fair Trading, who will be going through the motions, of considering the deal, whether this effects competition, is it in the interest of the consumer and all that malarkey, surprisingly neither companies web sites seem to report the issue.

Still the Press Gazette naturally have a full report click here.

Whatever you think of the Gazette (Isle of Thanet) it has usually given us a professional product over the years, and is certainly the local paper with the most original content, at this point in time.

This will have been a bad news day for East Kent, if KM Group were to absorb the area's papers into their Extra format. The thing is, you and I wont be consulted, the OFT will do their stuff, read the KM Groups submission and ink up the rubber stamp, and Kerching ! the end of an era.

Still maybe KM Group will consult us the public with their plans.

I know KM Group produce a professional product and no doubt are doing what they have to, in a tough market, as I assume is the case with Northcliffe Media, I hope that this doesn't mean less news and less scrutiny of local issues or fewer journalists.

I suppose on the plus side Thanet Council will be able to stumble from cock-up to crisis and nobody will ever need know in the future.

Still at present Bignews Margate blog will maintain editorial integrity and independence for a while longer unless Thanet Life wants to make a big money offer for Margate's favourite blog!