Councillor Dave Goddard, who also chairs the Stockport Economic Task Force, believes that the move by GMG-owned MEN Media - just one component of the widespread and much debated cuts recently announced - will undermine the strength of the local media and the economy.

Goddard has sent the same letter to the MEN, Crain’s and the Stockport Express and is urging others to make their views known too.

Here is the letter is full:

I am writing on behalf of Stockport’s Economic Task Force to raise concern about proposals for change by Guardian Media Group Regional Media in relation to staff and their location within Greater Manchester.

Councillor Goddard: concerned

We are working in partnership to mitigate the effects of the current economic climate and to boost Stockport’s economy in a wide variety of ways.

We believe it is key to the success of our borough that there is a thriving and healthy local media to inform, communicate and challenge the borough, and to provide the opportunity for stimulus of the economy via advertising.

Under proposed changes, staff numbers will be reduced across all GMG’s local newspapers. Of particular concern to us is that the Stockport Express and Times will be written and edited in Manchester.

We believe this will reduce the paper’s effectiveness in our Stockport communities.

We believe that some editorial should remain alongside the advertising staff who will be retained at Wood Street in Stockport, to ensure that articles written about the borough are written with local knowledge and with authority.

We are meeting the Chief Executive Officer of GMG Regional Media later this month and we will urge him to reconsider the proposals. I would encourage others to make their views known too.

With best regards,

Councillor Dave Goddard

Leader of Stockport Council and Chair of the Stockport Economic Task Force.

Did you enjoy this article? Please share it!

Comments (2)