Local newspapers being undermined

She highlights the waste of taxpayers' money by local councils producing expensive publications and raises a matter which has other serious implications.

Our very democracy is made possible through our wonderful system of a free press, nationally and locally. The recent scandal exposing the behaviour of MPs is a good example. It is vital that commercial newspapers are encouraged to be profitable and survive.

Unfortunately, many local newspapers have gone under because of a severe reduction in advertising revenue, partly due to unfair competition from taxpayer-subsidised council publications.

So, not only is public money being wasted, but our local newspapers are being dangerously undermined financially.

Councils should confine their media departments to issuing essential official documents. They should not be allowed to use our money to compete with the local press. We must defend our democracy!

D. Wilkins

St Winefride's Road, Littlehampton

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