The National Union of Journalists has written to the Johnston Press chief executive, Ashley Highfield, protesting at the closure of two newspaper offices.
Earlier this month, the company announced that it would close five newspaper offices in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. These included the offices of the Matlock Mercury and the Ripley & Heanor News.
These are "well-established newspapers serving the towns and communities where they are based", says the letter to Highfield from the NUJ's Derby and Burton branch.
It points out that Matlock is the county town of Derbyshire and reminds Highfield of the pledge on Johnston Press's own website about serving local communities:
"Our journalists are part of their communities and have wide-ranging networks of contacts, helping to ensure they hear what is happening when it is happening."
The letter says: "We would ask you to reconsider this ill-thought-out plan which may save money in the short-term but lose the newspapers readers, income and prestige in the long-term."
Sources: NUJ/Johnston Press
