Why today your Derby Telegraph’s journalism matters more than ever

Our news is trusted in local communities

THIS is national Journalism Matters Week, a campaign to demonstrate the vital role local news journalism plays in our society.

The Derby Telegraph is taking part to highlight why trusted news is so important to the communities that we serve.

Now more than ever, it is crucial that reliable and trusted news is delivered straight to your door or made available on your smartphone, tablet or computer.

The Journalism Matters Week campaign will see media outlets across the country take part in features highlighting their campaigning work and interviews with high-profile figures.

It will showcase investigations done into scandals and the exposés uncovering dodgy dealings in the local area.

The Derby Telegraph is proud to be the source of news for many thousands of people every day.

As part of Journalism Matters Week, we are highlighting some of the important work we have produced in what has been a turbulent 12 months.

EXPOSING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY

Our reporter Anna Whittaker uncovered a man illegally selling teeth whitening services in Derby after he was fined for doing the same thing previously. The Derby Telegraph set up a sting with Colin Vernall after we saw he was still offering the unlicensed service on Facebook.

Vernall was ordered to pay £7,000 by the courts last year after someone complained to Derby City Council Trading Standards about his tooth whitening service, as they had suffered a sharp pain during the procedure.

The Derby Telegraph had a tip-off that, despite the penalty, Vernall, who is also known as Vern Collins, was still taking money for the service and putting people at risk of harm.

Contacted by our undercover reporter, we set up a sting and recorded the whole process.

TOXIC WASTE IN DERBYSHIRE

The Derby Telegraph’s Local Democracy Reporter Eddie Bisknell carried out an investigation into a site in Somercotes that had been

used u to dump toxic waste and the th danger it could pose to people today. We reported fears from local councillors t that the tip could be putting local l residents’ lives at risk. Dubbed “horrifying concoctions”, t the tip is thought to be made of thousands of tonnes of toxic chemicals dumped in the 1970s. Our reporter unearthed n numerous documents sh showing evidence of serious c contamination in the soil an and water and brought these to the attention of the public, re revealing the true nature of th the site and performing a va valuable service for the local c community.

WHAT’S ON IN DERBY AND DERBYSHIRE

O Of course, the Derby Telegr graph is not just here to re report on bad news, we k keep our readers updated with the latest information about what’s happening in and around the city and the wider county. From restaurant openin i ings and pub refurbishm ments to the latest activiti ties for families and new sho shops, we aim to be there to inf inform you about the nicer thi things in life.

This may be a difficult time for many but life goes on and Derby and Derbyshire have a huge amount to offer so we aim to make sure that our readers know what’s happening.

NAMING N AND SHAMING CRIMINALS

O Our court reporters, Mart tin Naylor and Nick Reid, a are in Derby Crown Court a and Southern Derbyshire M Magistrates’ Court every day to ensure that justice is seen to be done. From drink-drivers and petty thieves to the most appalling crimes, the Derby Telegraph ensures that the principle of open justice is preserved so victims of crime see perpetrators punished. This ensures that the community knows that the criminal justice system in the city and the wider county is working. Thanks to our reporters, our readers can see that those criminals who damage the fabric of our communities are punished and justice is seen to be done in Derby and Derbyshire.