Bias local newspaper
 

The Accrington web has to be the way to get your point of view over to the people of Hyndburn, be it right or wrong, because using the letters page in the Accrington Observer has now become a waste of time with only three or four letters printed each week, even though they get a mail bag of at least twenty letters a week. If you send a letter with a constructive criticism of the previous council leader they will not print it. I know of at least five labour supporters who have written letters and none of them have been printed. The last council leader sent before the 9th March the names of Councillor Allah Dad to Buckingham, Palace to represent Hyndburn at the garden party as the next mayor of Hyndburn when he should not have named the mayor because he didn't know at that time who it would be. He presumed that the conservatives would still be in control of the council, they lost it and therefore Councillor Dad will not be the mayor that honour now goes to Labour Councillor Colette McCormack. Should Councillor Peter Britcliffe not have just said that the mayor would be attending, not naming the person. Or was this a cynical ploy by a sad and vindictive person. I sent a letter asking this to the Accrington Observer two weeks ago yet it wasn't printed. I leave the readers of the Accrington web to draw their own conclusions.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

It is reasonably disappointing to see that The Accrington Observer seemingly still feels that Peter Britcliffe is Leader of the Council and has given him his old column back in order to reinforce that. The front page headline seemed to me to be an attack on a decent and popular MP rather than a balanced report and none of the stories that had been requested from Rishton were published.

I do continue to query the impartiality of the paper when points from Peter Britcliffe were hammered home on the front page, the 'Political Column' and also the letters page. On the other hand, no one at Britcliffe HQ or The Accrington Observer seems to have realised that the public are truly weary of hearing his opinions and that the reason people don't buy the paper are because he is in it on every page every week.

Long may the media blanket continue as he's doing an excellent job of canvassing against himself.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I had a letter published, when the last council ignored the recommendations of an independent body, and massively increased their meal allowances, when away on council business.

The then Council Leader asked that if anyone knew where you could eat in London for a tenner, they should write a guide book.

I helpfully supplied the address of a nice restaurant, yards from Downing Street, where you could have a two course meal, and a glass of wine, all within the limits of the old allowance.

What suprised me about this weekend's Observer is the Leader's Column has been rechristened the Political Column, so even in opposition, we can still read Cllr. Britcliffe's musings.

Can't say I've noticed any political bias in the Observer.

The last leader was featured heavily in the paper, but that's down to the HBC press office, not the Observer photographing his every move.

There are regular letters from a local Communist party member, as well as the regular nutters, of all political persuasion.

The paper isn't what it once was, but I refute the accusation they're politically motivated in their editing.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

If Miles Parkinson, the new Council Leader, isn't that keen on courting the press, perhaps to counter balance Cllr. Britcliffe's continued political observations, give Ken Moss his own column.

The Moss Doesn't Give a Toss column.

:D

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I honestly think they so overstretched, and/or desperate for anything remotely resembling a news story, that almost anything could end up as a front page lead.

I do think it's down to who contacts them, rather than political bias, that influences what's published.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

The headlines on the front page of this week's Observer are based on Peter Britcliffe's attack on Graham Jones' presence at the Council meeting .

The most prominent letter on the Letters page is one written by Peter Britcliffe , again attacking Graham Jones' presence at Council meetings .

The Observer has a new column called the Political Column written by guess who ?

I don't recall the Observer giving the Labour opposition Leader a column to air his views .

This Political Column is not the new name for the Leader's Viewpoint Column .
We had the Leader's Viewpoint Column written by Miles Parkinson in last week's Observer .
It is a new creation , and if it continues as it is this week , the Observer will clearly be showing bias .

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I penned a letter to the Observer when I read the very undignified rant from PB on the letters page.
Personally I think that PB is suffering from envy......Graham Jones is in a place that PB aspired to.......and tried numerous times to get elected.
He is also suffering from Loss Syndrome.......he has lost his favourite place on the council.......he was used to being the lead dog,the head honcho, now he has to run with the pack and I don't think he likes looking up the bum end of the dog in front of him.

He also implies that Graham has lied about the state of the finances......he says that HBC is in fine financial fettle...the truth will out, so we will have to wait and see.

I put much of this in my letter so I don't hold out much hope of it getting into print.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

The idea is that the individual portfolio holders of the Council will write about the Council department there covering. Which should be far more interesting than the views of just one person. That's the intention anyway.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I think PB's words should be remebered by anyone who lives in Hyndburn but works out of the area. Next time the Tories come canvassing for your vote remember to clear off back to where you work, you're not welcome in Hyndburn

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Yes Miles Parkinson wrote about that in his Leader's Viewpoint Column last week .

But whose idea is it to start a Political Column ?

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

A word of advice to the new administration. Take it from someone who spent 30 years learning how to deal with the press.

Don't wait for journalists to write the story. Write it yourselves with whatever spin you wish to put on it, and present it to the journalists as the finished article. They are a lazy breed who always look for an easy life, so they will welcome someone else doing the hard work.

:)

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I'm not sure. I assume its replacing the leaders column. Maybe its after discussions with the observer. I'll check with Miles.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

To be pedantic, you're right.

In reality, Cllr. Britcliffe's old Leader's Column has just been renamed as the Political Column.

Miles Parkinson said in his first Leader's Column the other week, that he at first turned it down, but decided against it, in order that other Labour councillors can use it to write about what they're doing.

A former Leader who loved publicity, and a new one who doesn't seem as keen on courting the press, does not equal political bias.

As stated earlier, if you contacted the Observer and your dog's dinner now looked vaguely like the Virgin Mary, the story would more than likely be splashed across the next issue's front page.

To counteract accusations of bias, perhaps the new council should be more proactive in telling the press what they are, and what they plan to do.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I presume, I don't know, that it was Peter's idea.

It's a very good idea.

Free publicity.

I'm sure if Graham, or Miles had contacted the paper, when they were leaders of the opposition, that the paper would gladly have allowed them to write a monthly piece.

Until someone provides evidence that this happened, and they were refused column inches, I stand by my observations that this isn't political bias.

It's just that some people are better media whores than others...for whatever reasons.

;)

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Much ado about nothing IMHO the observer was a damn good local rag, that has steadily become crap, aint even good chip paper these days.:rolleyes:

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

no body seems to have picked up on the childish behaviour of Peter Britcliffe with his nomination to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party that wasn't for the first citizen Councillor Colette McCormack, but for his hopeful Councillor Dad.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

No one 'picked up on it', because you accused the local press of political bias, and that's what's been discussed in the thread. Which handily has the title of 'Bias local newspaper', so we don't go off thread.

If you want to discuss the matter you just raised, you could always post about it in the thread you started about it...

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...yor-58002.html

You might even notice in that thread that someone kindly points out that Accrington doesn't actually have a Lord Mayor.

;)

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Perhaps folk have, but as its no big surprise are leaving the bitching to the politicos?

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Why don't we play Let's Pretend We Run a Local Newspaper?

You just post the letter you want published here, verbatim.

We'll pretend we're the Editor, and decide if it's going in our next Letters Page.

:)

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

A couple of weeks ago i was reading the observer and correct me if i'm wrong but......Miles asked for the columns name to be changed, when i read it i smiled to myself because i thought it was a refreshing change to see a leader letting other politicians speak out .....thats the way to do it Miles, good lad

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I bet he wasn't expecting your uncle to be the first politican to take advantage, and speak out.

:p:D:p

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Ey....we'll have less of the uncle thing Mr, i may be strange but i aint part of the Adams Family.....yet

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For legal reasons, and also so she won't kick me in the nads, I would like to point out that although Flashy sometimes refers to him as 'uncle' on the forum, herself and Cllr. Britcliffe aren't actually blood relatives.

:D

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

And neither was he a 'friend' of my late mothers

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

relatives apart, has he any friends? i am aware of a couple of ass kissers that don't regard him as such.:D

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

He lost his friends when he lost his money

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Who was your late mother?

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

It's something I've been doing since last May when I was elected, trying desperately to get Rishton news into a wider audience. Very little has been printed in the Observer whilst the Lancashire Telegraph couldn't have been more receptive. Any political stories have also included quotes from the Conservative group for balance and when events from a Hyndburn ward get better coverage in a Blackburn paper than an Accrington one, despite repeated attempts, I'm more mindful to keep feeding the reporter that actually wants the information we send.

The Observer were going to run a story on kissing gates in Rishton, taking the trouble to phone me up, ask for a press release and even sending a photographer, and yet two issues down the line it hasn't appeared. Dozens of other stories have never materialised and an open invitation to raid my blog for information and photographs has seemingly never been taken up.

It's no skin off my nose as we now have a reasonably good information network for residents within the village but Rishton currently has half a page and is lumped in with Great Harwood, one would imagine due to a lack of stories.

It's disappointing that the local news they apparently crave is being eschewed in favour of adverts.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Let's not forget that the Lancashire Telegraph is published six times per week, rather than once, as the Observer is. Meaning it's much easier to get a story featured in that paper, because they have many more column inches to fill.

Although the LT is based in the town, it isn't a Blackburn paper. The whole of Hyndburn falls in it's geographic area of coverage.

Trust me, I honestly don't think the Observer has any political bias. I'd be the first to jump up and down if I saw evidence that it was.

It was only last week that they reintroduced the local 'news' pages. Most areas are lumped together with a neighbouring Hyndburn town.

If people suspect there is some right-wing bias at the Observer, can someone please explain why nearly every other week's letters page features a letter from the leader of the local Communist party?

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Granted, I'll happy concede that point. However, a major gripe was brought up on their behalf by Cllr Britcliffe at Tuesday's AGM, namely that they will be a week behind with council news stories when meetings move to a Thursday night. This unfortunately carries little weight with me as you could say the same about any event which happens late in the week - why couldn't it have been sooner so that the weekly paper could report on it? As Miles Parkinson pointed out, we are here to run the borough, not write a newspaper. There is certainly no reluctance to help The Accrington Observer find stories and I remain happy to submit information on any topic within Rishton if they truly want it.

However, it felt at times as if every page up until this point has been almost exclusively devoted to stories from the controlling Conservative group and when the trend is apprently continuing with Cllr Britcliffe now that he is in opposition it is no wonder that people question it.

I don't ever remember Miles or Graham having their own 'Political Column' in opposition.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Oh but he does, my dear G!

I used to have a semi-regular column in Ale Cry called 'Beyond Our Ken' which I would happily resurrect....

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

As posted earlier, did either, when in opposition ask for a column?

If they did, and were refused, then yes I would concede that there was some bias.

Yes the former leader did feature heavily in umpteen photographs in the Observer. Although from some comments on here that saturation may have gone against him.

However the Observer featured many stories that weren't favourable to the last ruling group, and lots of letters on their letters page that were critical of the last council's policies...mine included.

I honestly can't blame Cllr. Britcliffe if he's wangled a regular column, whilst leader of the opposition.

It sounds a little like sour grapes that Labour never thought of doing it, and thus didn't take advantage of a free platform to communicate with the electorate.

We're told Miles Parkinson will have a low-key profile in the press, and will concentrate on doing things, rather than be seen to be doing things.

That's all well and good, but don't criticise other politicans who are keener on having a higher public profile.

The public are fickle.

You only have to look at which newspapers have the highest circulations, to see that.

They're the ones which feature lots of daft nonsense, and non-stories.

Not being a keen a media whore as the last leader, might go against Cllr. Parkinson.

I hope not, as actions do speak louder than words...or pretty pictures.

I've never thought of the Observer as being skewed politically, one way or the other, and have yet to be convinced by anything that's been posted in this thread, so far.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

It was meant as a compliment.

That you are unafraid of saying what you actually think.

;):D

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

It does sound a bit like a whinge but none of us are desperately scrabbing to get our photos in there simply because we're in control. It certainly wasn't for want of trying that we didn't always manage to get our counterpoints across or our involvements with council projects and time will tell if this trend continues.

To be honest, as I've said before people will soon get equally sick of Miles Parkinson's Good News as they have of Cllr Britcliffe's scribblings and I welcome the new initiative to have the Leader's Column written in rotation by Cabinet members in order to give a broader picture of what is being worked on.

However, after 12 years of pure Britcliffe I think the paper may further unsettle its readers by keeping his singular viewpoint going.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Occasionally I may go a little against the grain and allow myself the smallest amount of radical free thinking that could possibly upset one or two of the more fragile members of the community.

I do try to keep those instances to an absolute maximum, however.

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I can't see it being a popular feature.

A leader of the opposition's column.

But I can't knock him for getting it. If that's what he's done, and it's to be a regular thing.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Personally I think it's a good thing. Now he is in opposition he should make enough gaffes by his whinging to keep us amused week after week :)

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

To be fair, I look forward to the day when a lot of facts are released to a startled populace under Freedom Of Information and Cllr Britcliffe passes comment.

That will be an interesting edition.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Isn't it time to look forward, about what things you are going to do?

Rather than look back, and kick those you oppose?

Petty bickering, 'They did this, they did that', is a major turn-off for the general public.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Unless that information is included in the Leader's Column feature, I think it highly unlikely that a list of 'facts' will be published as a news story.

Unless you can give the paper an interesting angle, to convince them that the public would find it worthwhile reading.

Let's not forget newspapers are businesses.

They have to try and achieve the highest circulatuion possible, and ultimately make money.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Quite right, and my own personal opinion on use of 'the previous administration' as an ongoing excuse is well-known within the Labour group. However, certain decisions over the next few months will probably require an explanation and hard facts will be the best way of doing that as far as I am concerned because harping on about 11 years of Conservative rule in Hyndburn won't wash for very long.

We shouldn't need to, I have absolute faith in the Labour group to deliver what is needed in the borough.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Politicans of all persuasion are a bit like the religious nutters who knock on our doors.

They all think they are the only ones who have 'good news' for us.

If we disagree, we can go to Hell.

:dflam::D:dflam:

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I'm not sure that's true G. I wouldn't even say that about Peter.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Well I've not noticed any political bias in the local press, but neither have I seen much evidence of public approval for opposing political parties policies, even if privately they agree with them.

To a bystander it always comes across as 'Everything they do is wrong, and everything we do is right'.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Probably because the things that different political parties might agree on isn't particularly newsworthy.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I weasn't just referring to the local press.

Even on places such as this forum, I've seen little evidence of it.

Like the door-to-door God botherers, with most politicans, it's their way, or the highway...to Hell.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

In our house we call the Observer , the Britcliffe Gazette .

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

In our house we call it a poor imitation of the great newspaper it once was.

;)

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I don't think the Ob was deliberately slanted.

The previous Council put £,000 hundreds into press and Google Page Ranking. Articles written ready to drop in with photos. It was made easy for the Ob. An army of Council staff employed to monitor, report, write stories, produce a tsunami of positive press stories all paid for out of Council Tax.

The Council refused to do Labour Councillor stories but would regularly do backbench Conservative to make sure the public believed they were working hard.

I did once demand from the press officer to see the press releases and for a month got a quote in. PB quizzed everyone how this was happening and discovered it was the press officer doing a CC. He was angry and a new policy was announced, press releases were only to be released to councillors after they had been published.

I used to constantly be pushing against a closed door when Mervyn was editor because he was concerned his source of news would be cut off. PB regularly on the phone to
Mervyn to get a second quote on what the opposition has said often getting an opportunity to rubbish me/us.'

After getting little coverage one budget, I planned the next one in advance. When I spoke to Mervyn to thrash out our coverage I was told the Observer had been guaranteed an exclusive by PB so long as no quotes were reported by Labour Councillors - no opposition. I had to argue the wrongs of this to get quoted.

I was led to believe Peter was never off the phone to the OB. When Gail Atkinson was LT reporter they used to have ding dongs as she loathed him and Nigel Rix who when he didn't get his way would bully and threaten legal action.

In the end Gail almost broke down, beaten by the endless pressure and bullying.

Now neither paper needs Peter like they once did.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I learnt in the 70s Politics was a dirty game, a lesson i never forgot.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

In answer to Gary.

I asked Mervyn for an opposition leaders column becAuse Greg believed he shouldn't get involved in anything unparliamentary.

Mervyn said the papers policy was one Labour, one Conservative and I had to sort it out with Greg. Thankfully that has changed to MP and the two leaders. There also needs to be a County Councillor column in my view as it provides 80% of services.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Thanks for your replies Graham.

As a reader I still don't see there's any evidence of political bias in the Observer, or that there ever has been.

The refusal to have an opposion leader's column, because they already had a Labour M.P.'s column, and a Conservative council leader's one, seems a little daft. Partly because of the times when our M.P. and ruling party on the council happened to belong to the same party.

Is the Political Column going to be a regular platform for the opposition leader? Or was it merely a means by which Cllr. Britcliffe could give his thanks for the memories speech?

I know for some people politics is one major turn off, but it is very central to how we all live our lives, and I believe that the local press have an important role in reporting politics fairly, which I believe the Accrington Observer does.

Even though I've been one of his fiercest critics, when it has come to some of his policies whilst in power, I would personally prefer to read the musings of the new opposition leader, rather than see another Hyndburn Hunk/Glasses Wearer of the Year/Bonny Baby/Carnival Queen/Pet of the Year, or pull-out Prom Spercial in the friggin' paper.

Peter Britcliffe used every legal avenue to maintain a high media profile.

That was his right. Just as it is an option for any politican.

It doesn't mean the press showed political favour.

As stated earlier, there were as many unfavourable stories, as there were smiley shots at the opening of the latest...envelope.

As a media whore he was up there with the Peoples' Princess.

May they both rest in peace.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I don't believe the paper was biased overall.

It was biased in that it printed 'headline' opposition stories to sell newspapers that the Council did not like.

It printed 95% Conservative/Council items because it was easy to do so and so 'worked in partnership' with the Council/Conservatives to the benefit of both parties.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

As well as not noticing any particular political bias in published news stories, I can't say I've seen any evidence of this in the letters page of the Observer either.

As posted earlier, there's regularly letters printed from a local communist, as well as supporters of other political parties.

Until he discovered Accy Web, our very own true blue Jaysay, seemed to have a letter published in the paper every other week.

In the late seventies and early eighties the letters page featured many letters from one David Riley, a local National Front activist.

This didn't mean the paper supported his extreme right-wing views. As they also printed letters of reply, challenging his neo-Nazi diatribe, including letters from myself.

The last letter I wrote to the Observer was unpublished.

There are many reasons why this could happen. Lack of space being the more probable likely explanation. Rather than some editorial political conspiracy.

Happily I got over my disappointment, and got what I wanted to say off my chest, by posting my letter on here.

:D

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...gan-49652.html

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

so you think Rishton is hard done to in the Accy OB, well spare a thought for the long forgoten corner of Hyndburn that is Belthorn, we get nowt!!

oh well at least we have the view!

Loweiy

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I take your point, although you have three MPs covering one village!

There shouldn't be any 'forgotten corners' in Hyndburn but for far too long I'm afraid that Oswaldtwistle has received the lion's share of attention so everyone has felt a little left out up to now.

You have a nice little website though:

Belthorn, Lancashire - Home

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

is there any regular news in Belthorn Loweiy? apart from occasional encounters wi sheep?:D

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

I lived up there for a few years.
When I phoned to report vandals on the school roof, I was asked "what side of the road is it?"
Different police forces were responsible for each side.

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

thats about as daft as it can get.:rolleyes:

Re: Bias local newspaper
 

Loads of news from the village in the sky....more to follow....

loweiy ;-)

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You usuall get the rich and famous valuing any privacy they can get, now we have one who wants publicity :D