Newspaper readers like crime. They like watching it on television – just look at the ratings for Inspector Morse and The Bill. They like reading about it, too. So why do newspaper bosses find it so hard to commit resources to those places where riveting crime tales are handed over on a plate? Because those looking at the bottom line hate the idea of reporters being tied up on stories that have no certain outcome and no certain duration.
Trinity Mirror’s Kent Regional Newspapers has pulled its support from an agency that covered courts in the county – a decision that has a direct impact on two other newspaper groups’ abilities to do the same.
But if court press benches around the country continue to lie empty, neither the justice system nor the public are being properly served.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog