Facebook subscriptions: Could Meta still be a friend for publishers?

One publisher trying out subscriptions on the platform thinks it could benefit others too.

Report by Charlotte Tobitt for Press Gazette

Facebook owner Meta has been “unfriending” news for more than two years, ending a long period of wooing the publishers who create much of the content shared by its users.

But while Meta may have stopped giving grants to publishers and sharing ad revenue with them, it may yet hold the key to selling online subscriptions for some titles.

Pulman’s Weekly News, a small newsbrand based in Axminster, Devon, now has more than 500 subscribers (of 1,700 Facebook followers in total) who pay £3.49 a month, less than a month after turning on Facebook subscriptions.

This suggests a total of at least £1,745 monthly from Facebook alone (Meta has said it is not taking fees on these transactions until at least the end of 2024.)

Owner Duncan Williams said: “I have always been an advocate of utilising Facebook and there is much good sense in being in the centre of today’s most popular digital arena, which is where the majority of our audience and readers already have account access, rather than expecting readers to create separate accounts on a standalone platform or paywall system.”

Williams has run Pulman’s Weekly News, founded in 1857, since 2018 when it closed in print. He previously made headlines when he bought West Country newspaper series View From for £1 two weeks after it was closed by by the previous owner but ended up being ruled personally responsible for hundreds of thousands owed to the group’s former employees and forced into bankruptcy.

Despite this experience Williams remains in local news and described working on Pulman’s as “very much a labour of love”.

“To be honest, my own family think I am crazy,” he said. “My younger brother has made a fortune in banking and thinks I am quite mad putting all my money into local media. But I still have a belief in this industry, and I always will.”

Pulman’s is also funded by a combination of Facebook advertorials, e-newsletters and providing social media design and management services for local businesses. Williams supplements it with his own freelance journalism and creating commercial videos for social media advertising.

Facebook subscribers to the Pulman’s page receive access to a dedicated subscriber discussion group, exclusive posts, videos including live broadcasts, photos and polls, a subscriber badge next to comments, and five highlighted featured comments a month on live videos.

Williams believes Facebook groups, often maintained by people prominent in their communities, are where many people now turn to for their local news in the absence of having reporters for every town and village. He described groups as “essentially the new local newspaper”.

A Charitable Journalism Project report published last year noted that Facebook was “by far the most important” social media service for local news information and that local pages and groups filled a gap in many communities. One focus group participant in Lewisham cited their local group and said it is the first place they look and “a lot of it’s trash to be honest, but a lot of it’s very useful”.

Williams feels that now a Facebook page “is actually of more value to a local publisher than a standalone website” and he has therefore been posting directly to the Pulman’s page for years rather than giving people a tease and asking them to click through – the website mimics a social media feed rather than having a traditional layout. He works with advertisers to accommodate them on the page itself and support this style of posting.

Williams said this had helped him pass the eligibility test as Meta wants people creating content specifically for the platform rather than primarily posting external links.

Facebook first introduced subscriptions, formerly known as fan subscriptions, in 2018. But they have never taken off among news publishers and may now represent an opportunity to claw something back from the platform.

To be eligible, a Facebook page must meet certain criteria including having either 10,000 followers or at least 250 return views. It must also have reached either 50,000 post engagements or 180,000 watch minutes in the previous 60 days, and be in compliance with Facebook’s monetisation policies.

Williams said: “I feel that as soon as this is made aware to most publishers, they will want to try it.”

Duncan Williams - media owner

According to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report this summer, Facebook does remain the most-used social media platform for news (17% in the UK) even though this is down from a peak of 28% in 2016.

Gen Z (currently aged up to 26) have particularly moved away from Facebook and towards Instagram, visual mobile-first media and then Tiktok since 2018.

But in a world where the platform makes up a sizeable amount of time spent yet referral traffic has plummeted and publishers nonetheless continue to post on the platform to stay in front of the Facebook native audience, topping up revenue with subscriptions from that crowd could be a nice added extra source – especially as Substack has shown people are willing to pay for a community and content they care about.

See Press Gazette -

https://pressgazette.co.uk/social_media/facebook-subscriptions-news-publishers/

A REMINDER OF THE EARTH'S CELESTIAL DANCE - ☀️🌙

Report by Duncan Williams @PulmansWeekly

The Summer Solstice, also known as the June Solstice or Midsummer, is an astronomical event that marks the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs when the tilt of the Earth's axis is most inclined towards the Sun, resulting in the Sun reaching its highest point in the sky and providing the most daylight hours. In England, it falls on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at precisely 3:57pm BST. The UK will enjoy 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight.

Traditionally, the Summer Solstice has been celebrated by various cultures and civilisations throughout history. It holds great significance in many societies and is often associated with festivals, rituals, and customs. These celebrations often revolve around themes of renewal, abundance, fertility, and the power of the sun.

In ancient times, people would gather at sacred sites such as Stonehenge in England, Machu Picchu in Peru, and Chichen Itza in Mexico to observe and honour the Summer Solstice. These sites were believed to be aligned with the movements of the sun, and the solstice marked a pivotal moment in the agricultural calendar. People would come together to celebrate the abundance of the harvest season, offer prayers and sacrifices, and partake in joyous festivities.

In modern times, the Summer Solstice continues to be celebrated and cherished in various ways. Festivals and events are held around the world to commemorate this astronomical phenomenon. Some of the most famous celebrations in the UK include the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge or at Glastonbury Tor, where thousands of people gather to witness the sunrise and participate in ceremonies. In Sweden and other Nordic countries, Midsummer festivals are held, featuring maypole dancing, bonfires, and traditional folklore.

The Summer Solstice also holds significance for spiritual and new age communities. It is often seen as a time of spiritual awakening, personal growth, and connecting with nature's rhythms. Many individuals use this day as an opportunity to meditate, practice yoga, or engage in other mindful activities to harness the energy of the sun and set intentions for the coming season.

From a scientific perspective, the Summer Solstice is a reminder of the Earth's celestial dance. It marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, a season characterised by warmth, longer days, and vibrant nature. After the solstice, the days gradually become shorter as the Earth continues its orbit around the Sun, eventually leading to the arrival of autumn.

The Summer Solstice serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of humanity, nature, and the cosmos. It highlights our relationship with the Sun, which provides us with light, warmth, and sustenance. Whether celebrated through ancient traditions, modern festivals, or personal reflections, the Summer Solstice invites us to embrace the beauty of the natural world and celebrate the abundance and vitality of life.

How regional newsrooms can use AI to protect the ‘lifeblood of local journalism’

Regional journalism experts appear optimistic generative AI can help their snowed-under newsrooms.

By João Santos for Press Gazette 

A WAN-IFRA survey has found that half of newsrooms are already deploying generative AI in some form or another.

Large language models quickly garnered the attention of Reach, Buzzfeed, Conde Nast and other publishers across the globe over the past six months for its potential to streamline editorial processes.

In particular the free-to-access ChatGPT has fast shown its potential to reinvent the way content is produced and journalism is done. But in local news outlets hard-pressed for time and staff, is the adoption of AI likely to be an opportunity or a threat?

AI vs the humans in local journalism

A number of UK regional news publishers have already realised that AI-generated news stories could free up journalists to concentrate on more meaningful reporting.

Duncan Williams, the managing director and proprietor of Pulman’s Weekly News in south east Devon, said: “AI has got huge advantages to help journalists, particularly in the regional sector, but it’s not yet at a level where it’s going to be able to write nitty-gritty stories.”

Rather, he said he believes the more in-depth stories produced by human journalists will carry increased significance. He wrote an op-ed in his newspaper last month emphasising the importance of human bylines for trust.

“As an editor, I would not dream of publishing a story by someone I did know the name of or who was not a trusted and credible human source,” he said. “Bylines not only protect my readers, but they also hold journalists accountable for their work.”

Dr Joy Jenkins, an assistant professor of Journalism at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, has worked extensively on how new technologies can be sustainably introduced into local industries.

She said: “AI can be used on more basic types of reporting in order to free up journalists to do the more investigative, in-depth types of stories they’d like to do but don’t always have the time and resources to produce.”

Eliz Mizon, a media writer and communications lead at Bristol Cable, believes AI could help local journalists carry out important “institutional accountability and community cohesion” roles, potentially reversing a trend that has seen around 300 local newspaper title closures since 2005 and left others hanging by a thread.

Will AI help or hurt regional journalist numbers?

A recurring worry that crops up in discussions of AI and news is whether the technology will end up replacing journalists, particularly in light of the economic headwinds that have encouraged many publishers to lay off staff in the past year.

Jody Doherty-Cove, Newsquest‘s special projects editor, is currently at the forefront of developing, coding and implementing AI tools for over 180 newsrooms across the UK, having just helped the Gannett-owned publisher establish its first AI reporter positions.

He explained: “A common misconception in the public discourse is the notion that AI, like some malevolent force, is poised to supplant human journalists in a ruthless bid to cut costs.

“Local journalism is a craft that requires investigation, relationship building, and nuanced understanding – elements that no machine, no matter how sophisticated, can truly replicate.”

Dr Jenkins agreed, explaining that AI should be seen as a “really affordable and helpful” tool which, if used properly, can be an “extremely effective way for local journalism to maximise its resources”.

Pulman’s owner Williams added: “It would streamline both the numbers of staff required to run our titles in an economic fashion and also the actual revenue streams that are the lifeblood of local journalism.”

This is the approach that Kallum Gethins, managing director at Dorset News and editor at View From Weymouth, has taken when incorporating AI into the running of both publications.

“If we find a story, we gather the facts, make a short sentence and then bring that into the AI software which produces a three to four-paragraph article, we proofread it and publish it,” he said. “The whole process takes about ten minutes.”

Much like the advent of social media and citizen journalism, AI could therefore lower the barrier of entry into the industry, making quality and consistency more affordable.

Gethins said: “I think that all organisations should implement AI because it could help their business massively, especially if the organisation is brand new and can’t afford journalists. For instance, we probably won’t be using AI-originated content in the long term and will look for potential journalists to join our franchise.”

The challenges ahead for AI in local journalism

As automation seeps into the media industry, the utility of AI in local journalism could be as far-reaching as the industry demands.

As well as editorial tasks, Dorset News’ Gethins has begun using different AI software engines for administrative work, for example producing email templates suited to potential investors and creating budget plans.

Automation could magnify the results of advertising campaigns and help integrate local papers more fully into social media, something which, Dr Jenkins explained, has been a historical struggle for many publications.

However there are considerable challenges to overcome before AI can be fully integrated into journalism in a way that is both ethical and practical.

Doherty-Cove said: “We must ensure that AI-generated content does not escape the watchful eyes of human editors who, with human oversight and rigorous fact-checking, can ensure AI-generated content meets their exacting requirements.”

Chatbots such as ChatGPT rely on what the user feeds into it, as the data on which they were trained is in some cases out-of-date. This means the fundamental newsgathering framework which leads to a fully-fledged story is, for the moment, outside the purview of generative AI programmes.

But as Dr David Ryfe, a professor and director at the School of Journalism and Media at the University of Texas at Austin, put it: “Clay Shirky wrote over a decade ago that it is much faster to lose something than to build something else to stand in its place. That is what is happening to local journalism.”

Source: https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/regional-newspapers/how-regional-newsrooms-can-use-ai-to-protect-the-lifeblood-of-local-journalism/

HUMAN BYLINES NOW MATTER MORE THAN EVER TO HELP SAFEGUARD JOURNALISM - 📰🗞️ 🤖

Report from the Editor's Desk by Duncan Williams 

In the evolving world of modern journalism, where artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms are gaining prominence, it is crucial to remember the irreplaceable value of the human touch. In an era where information spreads rapidly, it is more important than ever for those of us who are journalists to provide a byline for our written content. By acknowledging the human source behind the news, we can protect and uphold trust, integrity, and the indispensable role of professional journalism.

This is no longer just an ego driven need to see one's own name in print, it is now a necessity for safeguarding the core value of our once highly respected profession. A human author signing off their work could soon be akin to a hallmark embedded on a gold bar. Is it real or is it alloyed with AI? If you wrote it, believe in it, then please do say so. Sign your own byline!

Artificial intelligence has undoubtedly transformed the field of journalism. Automated news algorithms can generate stories at an unprecedented speed, sifting through vast amounts of data to create news pieces within seconds. This technological advancement offers efficiency and convenience, but it also presents challenges that cannot be ignored by any responsible news publisher.

While AI algorithms excel at processing data, they lack the essential human judgment and discernment required to verify sources, analyse context, and interpret complex events accurately. Good journalists, on the other hand, should bring with themselves unique critical thinking, experience, and a code of ethics, allowing us to investigate, validate, and present information in a responsible manner.

Bylines serve as a symbolic representation of accountability, giving credit and recognition to the journalists responsible for their work. When readers see a byline, they know that a human being with expertise and integrity has vetted the information. The byline acts as a beacon of trust, signalling that the story has undergone rigorous checks and balances to ensure its accuracy, fairness, and impartiality.

In an age where fake news and misinformation proliferate, bylines provide a necessary defence against manipulation and deception. Knowing the identity of the journalist behind a piece of news allows readers to establish a connection and gauge the credibility of the source. It encourages responsible reporting and discourages the spread of disinformation that can erode trust in media institutions.

As an editor, I would not dream of publishing a story by someone I did know the name of or who was not a trusted and credible human source. Bylines not only protect my readers, but they also hold journalists accountable for their work. 

All of the excellent journalists I work with today are bound by their professional reputation, and a byline serves as a public acknowledgment of their commitment to accuracy and integrity. This recognition can motivate journalists to adhere to rigorous ethical standards and provide accurate, well-researched content.

Bylines can also play a crucial role in promoting diversity and recognising expertise within the field of journalism. When journalists are attributed for their work, it allows readers to identify patterns, perspectives, and biases that may influence reporting. Bylines encourage the inclusion of diverse voices, ensuring a broader range of experiences and opinions are represented in news coverage.

During my early career, I researched many lurid tabloid scoops and learned very quickly how important it was, at the death, to get a story to stand up. Later, working within the somewhat different world of Christian media publishing, occasionally interviewing influential people about their religious views, I was required to give even greater attention to detail and accuracy. Yes, the devil is indeed in the detail. I would religiously check and double check those quotes and comments. Quotes cannot be conjured up by a computer.

Today, in a welcome return to secular news reporting, busy working as an editor in the UK regional press, I still believe in the importance of standing up and being seen, being transparent, and not hiding behind an anonymous byline. 

Yes, I am a human being. I make mistakes but I want to write, edit and publish news that means something real, that really connects with other human beings. My readers aren't robots. They don't deserve to be given data written by robots. Even less opinions written by them.

As AI technology continues to rapidly reshape the landscape of journalism, the importance of this human element must not be forgotten. 

Bylines are not mere signatures; they are a testament to the trust, integrity, and accountability of the journalism profession. They remind us that human journalists and editors, like myself, must play an indispensable role in verifying sources, critically analysing information, and providing accurate and reliable news. In this brave new world of artificial intelligence that we find ourselves living in, let us embrace the power of bylines and preserve the essential values that uphold trust, responsibility and integrity in modern journalism.

Tories and Lib Dems defend local press mimicry after editor’s ‘dirty tricks’ jibe

Report by David Sharman for HTFP

The Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats have defended their mimicry of local newspapers following a publisher’s fresh criticism of the practice.

Duncan Williams has hit out at what he called “dirty tricks” after discovering the Tories are running a pamphlet called the Tiverton and Honiton Telegraph, while the Liberal Democrats are also posting a title called the Devon News Courier through doors.

Duncan’s criticism has prompted the Tories to defend the tactic nationally, claiming readers will not “be under any illusions that it’s from a political party.”

Duncan owns historic South-East Devon title Pulman’s Weekly News, which he is currently running as an online news aggregation service.

He said: “The recent dirty tricks used by some political parties, who print and publish one-off, pseudo local newspapers, filled with biased coverage in favour of their own candidates, is unacceptable and deceptive.

“Be wary of these fake papers, if they are ever pushed through your letterbox, I suggest you bin them.

“They are particularly galling to those of us working in the genuine news industry, who know too well the struggles involved in keeping a real newspaper brand alive and kicking.”

In response, a spokesman for the Conservatives said: “Any literature from the party has to clearly state that it is from the party.

“I don’t think people who read them will be under any illusions that it’s from a political party.”

A Lib Dem spokesperson added: “All our campaigning literature in Devon makes clear they are from the Liberal Democrats on the front page.

“Having a strong local media plays a critical role in holding those in power to account and we will continue to work closely with local newspapers.”

HTFP reported last month how Hereford Times editor John Wilson had succeeded in getting local Tories on his patch to pledge to discontinue the practice after criticised the North Herefordshire Conservative Association for publishing a pamphlet under the name ‘Herefordshire Champion’.

John’s criticism prompted a U-turn by the Association, which had initially defended the practice on the grounds that CCHQ had offered local branches predetermined templates for pamphlets ahead of May’s elections.

https://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/2023/news/editor-hits-out-at-tory-and-lib-dem-dirty-tricks-amid-fresh-local-press-mimicry/

WHY I AM WARY OF BECOMING TOO WOKE - 😳

As a former tabloid journalist and now editor of Pulman's Weekly News, I have always been mindful of the impact my words and actions might have on others. However, in today's "woke" culture, it sometimes feels like the goalposts are constantly shifting, and it can be hard to know what is considered acceptable.

One potential risk is the phenomenon of "cancel culture," where individuals are publicly shamed and ostracised for expressing views or engaging in behaviours deemed offensive or harmful by certain groups. While I believe it's important to call out genuine instances of harm or discrimination, cancel culture can also be a blunt instrument that shuts down debate and stifles free expression.

So how might I find myself on the wrong side of woke culture? It could be as simple as expressing a controversial opinion on social media, or using humour or irony that is misinterpreted by some as offensive. It could be participating in an event or organisation that others deem problematic, or even associating with individuals who have been "cancelled" themselves.

Of course, the tricky thing about cancel culture is that it often operates in a highly subjective and unpredictable way. What one person considers a harmless joke, another might see as deeply offensive. What one group deems a legitimate expression of free speech, another might label as hate speech.

All of this can be daunting, but I believe the key is to stay true to one's own values and principles, while also being receptive to feedback and willing to learn from others. It's important to engage in thoughtful dialogue and debate, rather than simply writing off anyone who disagrees with us.

At the end of the day, we all have a responsibility to be mindful of the impact our words and actions have on others, and to strive for a more inclusive and just society. But we also need to be careful not to let cancel culture become a form of censorship that shuts down important conversations and stifles the diversity of viewpoints that are essential to a healthy democracy.

Report by Duncan Williams @PulmansWeekly

Publisher liable for money owed to journalists still plans to reopen weeklies

Report by David Sharman for HoldTheFrontPage

A publisher at the centre of a row over a series of local newspapers which ceased publication in January has reiterated his determination to reopen them over time.

Duncan Williams, left, bought the View From titles, which cover areas of Dorset, Devon and Somerset, in January following their closure by previous owner, Sunday Independent publisher Peter Masters.

A court has since ruled Mr Williams is liable for money owed to a group of 28 former View From employees who were made redundant when the titles ceased publication.

But he has restated his intention to appeal the decision and says he is still working to get the eight View From titles as well as Axminster-based Pulman’s Weekly News reopened, although he accepts this will not happen in one go.

As part of the relaunch plan, he has set up a video news channel entitled View News which also aims to offer a PR service to local businesses, converting press releases into videos which would then be carried on the newspapers’ social media channels and websites.

The View From titles served towns and villages including Beaminster, Bridport, Dorchester, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Seaton, Honiton and South Somerset, while Pulman’s Weekly News covered Axminster.

Said Duncan: “The titles will all be brought back incrementally. As they have been traditionally free, budgets need to be securely in place first off before relaunching the entire portfolio in one fell swoop.

“Revenues from video advertising and social media are designed to enable this.”

Duncan added: “Despite the recent controversy surrounding their acquisition, I remain very happy indeed with the Pulman’s Weekly News brand.

“Their founder George Pulman was an influential Christian publisher of the Victorian era whose vision I much admire and whose community values are certainly part of what makes local media so vital to regions.

“Likewise, I remain delighted with the View News series, which I know have suffered from sharply declining advertising revenues, repeat closures, rumpuses and relaunches. However, the technology upgrades I have personally invested in are hoping to remedy this.

“To be clear to all of my investors, banks and advertising agencies: I have no intention whatsoever of going bankrupt. The employment tribunal decision will be appealed.”

Tindle Newspapers closes last remaining View From newspaper title

Report by Charlotte Tobitt for Press Gazette

Tindle Newspapers has closed the last remaining View From newspaper title, the monthly View From The Blackdown Hills.

The 16-page free paper was bought by Tindle in December 2009 as the publisher sought to widen its circulation area in the south west of England.

Its last edition, which had a distribution of around 6,000, was published this month.

Sandra Perraton, managing director of Tindle Newspapers in Teignbridge, Tavistock and Mid and East Devon, said: “Tindle Newspapers have been proud to serve the people of the Somerset/ Devon border.”

Perraton added that no journalists were made redundant by the closure, and that there are no current plans for any other newspapers from her centres in the south west to close.

Sandra Perraton - Tindle Newspapers Ltd.

At the time of Tindle’s purchase of the title from View From Publishing, former chairman Sir Ray Tindle said it was an “excellent editorial and advertising publication and we are proud to have it in our family”, adding: “There is a big future for these community newspapers.”

The Blackdown Hills newspaper was the last surviving View From title after the series was closed on 4 January due to “falling revenues” . It was the only title still owned by Tindle.

The other View From editions were owned by Capital Media Newspapers until it went into administration in July 2017 and then bought by Sunday Independent owner Peter Masters.

After Masters closed the newspaper series, the brand was sold for £1 to Duncan Williams, a director of West Country media company Pulman’s Weekly News Group.

Williams has now been found personally liable at a tribunal for thousands of pounds owed to former employees.

Tribunal rules job loss workers are entitled to £250k

Reported by Hamish Marshall for BBC Spotlight

Hamish Marshall 

Two dozen workers in Devon and Dorset have won their case to get an estimated £250,000 they're owed - nine months after losing their jobs.

"The View From" series of newspapers, which included Axminster, Lyme Regis and Weymouth, was closed and then sold by Cornish businessman Peter Masters in January.

An employment tribunal has ruled new owner Duncan Williams is now responsible for the staff wages, notice and redundancy payments.

A hearing will be held next year to decide how much each worker - including journalists and sales executives - is entitled to.

The government will foot the bill if Mr Williams declares himself bankrupt.

He has told the BBC he intends to appeal the decision.

Media director found personally responsible for money owed to axed journalists

If Duncan Williams declares bankruptcy, claims for money will be transferred to the secretary of state

A REPORT BY ANITA MERRITT FOR CORNWALL LIVE

A Cornwall media director has been found personally liable to pay money owned to employees after he spent £1 to purchase a news organisation they were made redundant from before he acquired it.

A judgement delivered today at an employment tribunal concluded the former boss of the View From series, Peter Masters, chairman of Truro City Football Club, who made all staff redundant on January 4 due to the titles ceasing publication, was not liable for claims of staff still awaiting pay in lieu of notice, redundancy money and arrears of pay.

The decision heard at Exeter Combined Court stated that as media director Duncan Williams had bought the titles, which cover areas of Dorset, Devon and Somerset, on January 16, all right, powers, duties and liabilities had transferred to him rather than his limited company.

Mr Williams, who did not attend the two-day hearing, had stated he only purchased the intellectual property rights for the brands.

The 28 claimants will now attend a further hearing next March to determine how much money is owed to them. If Mr Williams declares bankruptcy, claims for money will be transferred to the secretary of state.

Duncan Williams

In July 2017, Peter Masters, owner of Cornwall-based Sunday Independent, announced the acquisition of the eight papers in the ‘View From’ series.

In January, Mr Masters, the sole shareholder, sold the Your View series to Mr Williams for £1, and resigned as director.

Evidence was given to support Mr Williams's intention to continue the business.

Employment judge Nicholas Roper said Vibe Marketing Group Ltd, which Mr Williams is the director of, was a ‘shell company’ and nothing more than a trading name. It means he is legally the employer and personally responsible.

He concluded Mr Williams is personally liable for claims of unfair dismissal and statutory redundancy payment. He is jointly liable with Vibe Marketing for pension deductions.

Peter Masters

Liable for a further claim of unlawful pension deductions from July 2017, which saw payments taken but not put into a work pension scheme, is Vibe Marketing.

One of the claimants is making a claim of unfair dismissal in December 2017, before the publication ceased printing, stating no verbal or written reason was provided.

Mr Williams runs independent news and marketing service the Poole Post. He is also a commercial development consultant with News Group Ltd and a director of Vibe Marketing.

Mr Williams launched a crowdfunding bid, with a target of £85,000, to revive the series of closed weekly newspapers.

At the time of the takeover, Mr Williams said an “accountants audit” would take place before any long-term decisions were made about the future of the publications.

The View From titles serve Beaminster, Bridport, Dorchester, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Seaton, Honiton and South Somerset, while Pulman’s Weekly News serves Axminster.

The series was previously based in Lyme Regis.

Speaking after the tribunal, Mr Williams said: "I have no intention of going bankrupt. I was taken aback by the judge's decision as I had been told beforehand that this was a preliminary hearing to clarify issues that took place at the Westcountry newspaper group long before I became involved with it.

"I am appealing the Exeter court's decision and I am not seeking intervention from the Secretary of State."

Media Director Found Personally Responsible

Truro City FC chairman Peter Masters gives evidence at tribunal over newspapers sold for £1

An employment tribunal heard 27 journalists and staff were made redundant when the weekly newspapers went bust in January

REPORT BY ANITA MERRITT & GRAEME WILKINSON FOR CORNWALL LIVE

The chairman of Truro City Football Club has given evidence at a tribunal about a series of weekly newspapers he sold for £1.

The employment tribunal is looking into who is liable for paying money owed to 27 members of staff after the View From media series went bust.

The business had been acquired by Peter Masters, who is also the chairman of Truro City Football Club and the director of Cornwall Today magazine, in July 2017.

However the news publications, which covered the areas of Dorset, Devon and Somerset, closed in January and the staff were made redundant.

They claim they are all still awaiting pay in lieu of notice, redundancy money and arrears of pay.

Mr Masters, the sole shareholder at the time, then sold the business later that month for £1 to Duncan Williams, a media director at Vibe Marketing Group Ltd.

Giving evidence at the tribunal in Exeter, Mr Masters denied having known Mr Williams before the deal, despite a barrister presenting evidence his name and details had appeared on the View From website and blog in December 2017.

Peter Masters is the chairman of Truro City Football Club

Mr Masters said it had come as ‘a surprise’ when he was made aware of it at a later date, but said he understood Mr Williams had been interested in purchasing the titles back in July when he was the one to take it out of administration.

Mr Masters confirmed he resigned as director when the deal was struck with Mr Williams.

He added staff had been on ‘garden leave’ from January 4, but barrister James Arnold, representing the claimants told how their account of events was they had been locked out of office and told to remove their belongings and were not required to work again.

The new owner, Mr Williams, who was not present at the tribunal, claims he only purchased the intellectual property rights for the brands.

The hearing is scheduled to last for three days but on Wednesday the judge will decide whether Mr Williams is personally responsible for the claims or if Vibe Marketing Group Ltd is.

However, the claimants are likely to have to wait until next year for another hearing to make their own representations of what is owed to them.

The court heard all the employees were dismissed when the titles they worked for ceased publication on January 4.

Duncan Williams

Noting the absence of Mr Williams, employment judge Nicholas Roper said: “He has chosen not to attend.”

Evidence was given to support Mr Williams's intention to continue the business.

Mr Williams runs independent news and marketing service the Poole Post. He is also a commercial development consultant with News Group Ltd and a director of Vibe Marketing.

Mr Williams launched a crowdfunding bid, with a target of £85,000, to revive the series of closed weekly newspapers.

The employment tribunal continues.

SOUTH WEST HERITAGE CENTRE ADDS NEWS WEEKLIES

South West Heritage Centre in Taunton has gratefully received a vast archive of carefully catalogued and restored local newspapers that have covered the surrounding areas for decades. 

Part time media and community lecturer Duncan Williams (pictured above) says: "Regional newspapers record life in local towns in a way that creates a valuable historic testimony of rural life. While national newspapers are more focus on forging opinion leader articles, the regional press chronicles, the often fascinating detail, of daily living."

Many of the titles are out out of print, which adds to their interest.

The Pulman's Weekly News series, which served the West Country, was first launched way back in 1857.