The National Association of Press Agencies wants talks with the new coalition government to seek assurance that Press Association’s proposal to establish not for profit public service reporting agencies won’t involve public funding.

The association that represents the UK’s leading news agencies held talks last year with the Department of Culture Media and Sport and with then Conservative shadow culture spokesman Jeremy Hunt MP over PA’s plans.

NAPA said today it would seek further talks with Hunt, now culture secretary, over ‘anti-competitive’moves in the local newspaper market.