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/
