This article was submitted by one of our readers, Barry Kade. We welcome any contributions from our supporters (as long as those contributions conform to the law and are in reasonably good taste). Please send your articles to us via email.Many people will be shocked when they look at the online version of their local newspaper. Instead of appearing to serve the whole local community, these newspapers will suddenly take on the appearance of exclusive party political organs - and not just of any party, but of the notorious racist and fascist BNP.
Nick Griffin's organization has found a new way of spreading its election propaganda. The BNP are paying for advertising space on the websites of local newspapers. Many of these adverts consist of a large banner headline that stretches across the top of the front page above the newspaper's title.
They make local newspaper websites look like a BNP publication, with the slogans of the extreme right-wing party dominating the page. Other formats include a simple BNP logo and a video box. Clicking on the adverts takes the reader via a link straight to the BNP's website. All titles noted so far belong to the giant 'Newsquest' group that owns hundreds of local newspapers across the country, and has 164 of what it calls 'local media brand websites'.
The BNP's Euro-election campaign agent has boasted that she had already booked 'hundreds' of these newspaper ads. Party bosses expect to reach 2.5 million people with this tactic. The adverts have so far been spotted on the following Newsquest titles: Stourbridge News; Dudley News; Bromsgrove Advertiser; Redditch Advertiser; the Kidderminster shuttle; the Echo-News (Southern Essex); and the Colchester Evening Gazette. (Keep your eyes open for more).These adverts go against the stated policy of the Newsquest corporation itself. This displays a 'diversity statement' on its main website, that proclaims:
'Our mission is to publish market-leading newspapers which reflect the views of the communities they serve.'The statement also pledges them to secure diversity, equality and fairness amongst its own workforce.
Newspapers should serve the whole community, not the extreme racist and right wing minority BNP. These adverts will cause offense to the diverse majority in any community. Who can trust their local newspaper to impartially bring them news, when they are so closely identified with an extremist political party?
Please complain (politely but firmly) to:For information about advertising and sponsorship opportunities, contact :
Simon Sarahs
Head of Commercial Development
Newsquest Digital Media
Telephone 0207 489 4930
Email: ssarahs@newsquest.co.uk
James Trudgian
Head of Audience Development
Newsquest Digital Media
Telephone 07917 040667
Email: jtrudgian@newsquest.co.uk
Local Newsquest office (Stourbridge News and Dudley News)
Phone: 01384 358050
Editor: paul.walker@midlands.newsquest.co.uk
Advertising Manager: caroline.smith@midlands.newsquest.co.uk
Local Newsquest Office (Bromsgrove Advertiser, Redditch Advertiser)
Editor: alan.wallcroft@midlands.newsquest.co.uk
Deputy Editor: alex.wellings@midlands.newsquest.co.uk
Advertisement Manager: bob.price@midlands.newsquest.co.uk
For more, check it out! Each Newsquest local website/title has a 'contact us' section, where editors, advertising managers etc. office phone numbers and emails can be found. A full list of these with links can be found at : http://www.newsquest.co.uk/
Newsquests head office website: http://www.newsquest.co.uk/. Has a list of top executives, without any contact details!
For further information relating to diversity within Newsquest, please contact Group HR, on 01932 821212 or by e-mail grouphr@newsquest.co.uk (also found this website: http://www.newsquestmedia.co.uk/ this also seems to deal with their advertising, saying:
'Newsquest Media Sales represents the national advertising interests of Newsquest Media Group and serves the collective needs of over 4000 advertisers and their agencies'.
London office:
020 7489 4900
And Manchester Office:
0161 848 5200
