Dear Sir Ray
I am writing to you to express my concern over the cuts taking place at the Barnet Press Series and her sister papers in Enfield and Haringey.
Properly funded and well run community newspapers are a vital part of local democracy, and the Barnet Press, and her equivalents in Enfield and Haringey, have played a crucial role in helping to provide accountability in our borough by reporting emerging stories on public services and life from the re-configuration of local hospital services, including the closure of Chase Farm Hospital A&E and maternity unit, to the funding cuts to local councils.
I have been aware that local reporters from these papers are increasingly unable to attend council meetings and events due to staffing shortages, and this has affected their ability to cover local stories as they emerge.
The importance of campaigning journalism in a healthy democratic society cannot be overstated, and I hope you will support our local reporters at the Barnet Press, Enfield Advertiser and Haringey Advertiser so they can continue to provide the quality campaigning journalism that our local communities need and deserve.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Alison Moore
Leader of the Barnet Labour Group and of the Opposition
