We are here to inform and stand up for our readers
THIS week is Local Newspaper Week. It is a celebration of titles like the Stockport Express.
The event is to show to everyone across the country the importance of having a locally-accountable, vibrant and dynamic local media. Of course, your Express is not just about the newspaper – we have a huge online presence which is growing fast.
As well as keeping you informed of what’s going on in this great city and region, our other passion is fighting your corner. We stand up for what you tell us is important in your lives. We right the wrongs. We campaign. We investigate. We’re here to make a difference.
In this fast-changing globalised world, the Express aims to be the constant in your busy lives, rooted in your communities.
We go back a long way together – to 1822 in fact. The Express has helped generations of Stopfordians by keeping them informed, entertained and in the forefront of the minds of those in power. It may be a digital world now, but all that still holds true.
On Friday it is the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards and we are proud that our parent company M.E.N. Media is leading the way with a clutch of nominations.
A rigorous framework of regulation ensures you can trust what you read in the Express: ●●WE operate under The Editors’ Code of Practice, enforced by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. It covers a wide range of standards, including accuracy, the protection of children, privacy, harassment and public interest ●●WE are subject to laws, including libel and contempt of court ●●ALL our journalists are fully trained in all aspects of the profession – including the right of reply. The editors’ code and ethics underpin all they do ●●BEFORE we publish a word – online or in print – articles go through a rigorous checking process ●●WE live in the communities we serve and deal with the same people time and again. We would be nothing without their trust ●●WE are fair, accurate and impartial – we have no axe to grind. We are here to inform, investigate and to entertain.
Editor in Chief of M.E.N. Media Rob Irvine said: “We are passionate about making a difference to the lives of the people in Greater Manchester by informing, entertaining and – most importantly of all – standing up for them.
“We’ll ask questions when people in authority would rather we didn’t; we’ll carry on digging when others may give up.
“We have a track record of investigative journalism which goes back into history and it is our duty to keep that torch burning.
“We may not get everything right and we will hold our hands up if that’s the case. But we believe the people of Greater Manchester know we will always take their side.”
Craig Nayman, chairman of Local Media Works, which is running Local Newspaper Week, said: “By holding authority to account on events that might otherwise remain hidden, local journalism helps shape the communities for the better and Local Newspaper Week is a celebration of that important democratic function.”
In recent times the Stockport Express has uncovered controversial plans to cut costs at Stepping Hill, including closing a ward and the loss of 350 jobs.
We have supported campaigns to save the historic Midland pub from demolition, to designate Stockport as a Business Improvement District - which is expected to bring millions in extra funding into the town centre - and to help raise £1.5m for treatment for a youngster with a rare form of dwarfism.
We also highlighted concerns over standards at Stockport College, which was said to have made ‘insufficient progress’ in a follow up inspection by Ofsted after it was graded ‘inadequate’ last year and the council’s plans to move to a three-weekly bin collection, which were subsequently scrapped following an outcry from readers.
And we extensively covered the row over the future of Stockport Market, which resulted in plans by the Liberal Democrat group being rejected by Labour councillors after they gained an overall majority in last year’s elections.