National Union of Journalists president Chris Morley is to chair a meeting with prominent business people and MPs in the West Midlands to discuss the future of Trinity Mirror’s Midlands titles — including the Birmingham Post and Mail — which went up for sale in December.
The meeting comes under the union’s Journalism Matters campaign, which has been running since April to safeguard quality journalism in the UK.
Former CBI director general Sir Digby Jones will be present at the meeting as well business and political leaders. Morley said: “What we want above anything else is not necessarily to look back at Trinity Mirror’s track record, but to look forward to the possibilities and opportunities a new buyer could bring.
“By calling this breakfast we’ve made a deliberate effort to build a coalition with different interests within the community who want to see effective and vibrant regional newspapers and to see the papers going into good hands.
“The NUJ is interested in safeguarding jobs, but the interest that crosses over into the rest of the community is the provision of good quality newspapers that serve the interests of their community.” Trinity Mirror announced in December it was to put many of its regional titles up for sale as well as the Racing Post.
An Early Day Motion has been tabled by Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho which urges new owners to “take this golden opportunity to turn around years of neglect by successive owners”.
Trinity Mirror would not comment.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog