MPs to debate future of local newspapers

Parliament will host a debate on Wednesday (25 April) on the future of local newspapers after an MP expressed concern about the growing number of local papers which would no longer be publishing on a daily basis.

Conservative MP Louise Mensch secured the debate after learning Johnston Press plans to switch two Northamptonshire papers from daily to weekly publishing. The debate will take place in Westminster Hall at 4pm.

She took to Twitter to comment on the news, expressing concern at the company's plan to complement the weekly editions with paid-for iPad apps.

"Lots of Corby folk can’t afford iPads to use an app. I will seek a meeting [with] Johnston Press to ask if they've got this one right."

Mensch is a member of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee and was involved in last year's investigation into phone hacking.

The announcement by Johnston Press that five newspapers, including the Northampton Chronicle and Echo and Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph were to go weekly, was met with dismay by the NUJ, who expressed their fear the move would lead to a "massacre of of journalists' jobs".

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