View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
February 3, 2005updated 22 Nov 2022 2:09pm

Council leader’s threat to paper: ‘We won’t advertise’

By Press Gazette

By Sarah Lagan

The leader of
East Lindsey District Council threatened to stop advertising in the
Skegness Standard after it published a front-page story he claimed was
inaccurate.

The Johnston Press newspaper reported on a local swimming pool
threatened with closure because of council cash savings, which
Councillor Jeremy Webb described as “frivolous and without foundation”
as no decisions had yet been made on the subject.

His plan to ban
advertising was leaked by a Labour councillor who overheard his
comments in a private meeting, sparking a row at a full council meeting.

Councillor
John Hough, who had been sacked from the executive board last April,
decided to blow the whistle and bring up Webb’s comments during
question time.

He asked: “Should an inquiry be set up to
investigate your threat to stop the council placing advertisements in
theSkegness Standard after it published an article you disagreed with?”

Webb
responded: “This is a black day for me. It is truly appalling that you
have brought up the contents of a private discussion in a public forum.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

“The article contained wrong information. It was frivolous and without foundation.

“I
asked the officers why we should continue merrily spending thousands of
pounds on public notices in the paper but was told I couldn’t threaten
the press in this way.”

A statement issued by the council stated
that decisions to advertise would only be influenced by price, value
for money and access to customers.

A spokesman said: “We look
forward to continuing to work with all local media to deliver our
messages to the public in a responsible, fair and balanced way.”

Tim
Robinson, managing editor of Lincolnshire Newspapers said: “In meetings
with the editor, managing editor and ELDC’s communications team, this
matter has been openly discussed.

“Obviously we learned of Mr Webb’s comments with great concern.

“But
ELDC has constantly sought to assure us that any decisions on when and
where to advertise are not made on a political basis and that the
correct legal scrutiny of these decisions has and will always take
place.”

This week Hough repeated his request for an investigation into Councillor Webb’s comments.

The request has been refused.

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network