The Conservatives have promised to force local councils to publish how much they are spending on controversial council newspapers. The impact of these papers has sparked fierce debate in recent months, with Trinity Mirror chief executive Sly Bailey labelling them "mini Pravdas" and "propaganda dressed up as journalism", and a controversial Audit Commission report clearing local authorities of wasting or misusing funds. Many in the commercial sector argue that the publications steal advertising.
Caroline Spelman, the shadow secretary for local government and communities, said councils need to be as transparent about their costs as the BBC was being asked to be. She said taxpayers should be able to "scrutinise and challenge" councils over publication of print costs, design, delivery and editorial costs. "Just as the time has come for the BBC to come clean with how much it's paying its presenters, so it's fair that councils are asked to justify their media expenditure," she said. "We need to take a long hard look at taxpayer-funded media and communications. Whether it's nationally or locally it can't be right that public money is used in a way that drives independent media outlets to the wall. So, in line with our commitment to greater transparency, we will require councils to publish online exactly how much they are spending on Town Hall newspapers."
