The increase in free distribution of titles is one way of boosting circulation and thus making the papers attractive to advertising. As the remaining pages have to carry the advertisiments this reduces space for news item. The Letters Page has been a casualty of this squeeze on space in the BKT recently so it is good to see it back this week - not just because a letter I wrote about Central Middlesex A&E and schools was published! There was no editorial his week, presumably to squeeze in more letters, but it would be a shame to lose this feature as in my opinion they have been very influential in the past.
Letters pages in local newspapers are part of the lifeblood of local democracy and vary a great deal. The Ham and High and Camden Journal in our neighbouring borough have particularly lively pages and are often the first pages turned to by readers.
So far the slimmed down BKT has continued its high standard of reporting and they continue to originate stories and break exclusives rather than recycling press releases which unfortunately is the role of many local newspapers with reduced reporting staff.
Our local newspapers are particularly important in these times when both council and government cuts mean community is losing vital health, police and fire services and many families face hunger and homelessness. With a weak opposition in the Council the BKT has a vital role in holding our local politicians to account.
Help keep them going: buy it and advertise in it.
