From 2001 until 2010 Jim Knight was MP for South Dorset. During that time he was never asked if he would like a column in the Dorset Echo. Then in comes a local Tory landowner and they could not give him a voice quick enough. Their reasons although not obvious are well known within Dorset. They are biased towards the Conservative Party. Both the western and eastern end of the county is served by a newspaper that is not politically neutral. As much as some of their journalists are embarrassed by this obvious partisanship there is little that they can do but resign. That takes principles and they don’t pay the bills or always realise dreams. However, as always, be careful what you dream for.
For this reason I entirely support both the online and written petition that has been set up demanding that the Dorset Echo, in the six months leading up to the 2015 General election, no longer provides a partisan column for the local MPs. Unless all (and I mean all) local candidates are given an equal opportunity to voice their parties intentions on major issues then no one should. Wouldn’t it be great if the local newspapers actually reflected the demographic make up of local people instead of their own private agenda? Whether it is Newsquest (their owners) or the local editors dictating the show it is now time for a proper balanced informative news media. If not then we must vote with our feet and not pay for it and not read it.
PLEASE SIGN: LOCAL NEWSPAPERS SHOULD BE UNBIASED…
Douglas James
