PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
JOURNALISM MATTERS CAMPAIGN (23 November 2006)

That this House welcomes the launch of the Journalism Matters campaign by the National Union of Journalists to highlight the importance of quality journalism to local democracy in the UK; believes that quality journalism relies on adequate resources being provided to enable journalists to carry out their role in an effective manner; expresses concern at recent editorial job losses and budget cuts in local newspapers which are undermining journalists' ability to carry out their role effectively; notes that the cuts are being carried out by highly profitable media companies who effectively operate as regional monopolies without in many cases trade union collective agreements and bargaining rights; and therefore calls for an investigation into allegations of profiteering and anti-competitive practices.

Sponsored by:
Austin Mitchell (Labour)