Yorkshire Post publisher National World is seeking to recruit its first group-wide freedom of speech editor after posting an upbeat trading update last week.
The new role will see the publisher “underpin its commitment to free expression and champion local journalism across the UK.”
National World is currently collaborating with Sky on the series Hold The Front Page, which has seen comedians Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar work as trainee reporters on six of the company’s newspapers and websites and discover how tough it can be to report accurately on the local news agenda. The show has been applauded for reinforcing both the importance of local media and the group’s commitment to trusted journalism.
National World group deputy editor-in-chief Gary Shipton said: “Free speech has never been under as much pressure in the UK as it is today – and it is very much our responsibility as professional journalists to defend it. Our democracy depends on it. We see the Freedom of Speech Editor as someone who would cover the whole media and content sector and who would champion free speech and a plurality of views across our communities. We simply cannot allow the scope of public debate to be increasingly narrowed.
“Our content strategy is to promote expert opinion and launch campaigns in support of our communities both local and national. Given the turmoil in the country it is a good time to create a strong voice with the appointment of such an editor.”
The groups’ flagship title The Yorkshire Post has been involved in a high-profile debate over freedom of speech itself recently over accusations that its coverage of the Yorkshire Cricket racism scandal, and its handling of coverage of former Yorkshire cricketer and whistle blower Azeem Rafiq in particular, was in itself racist.
Yorkshire Post editor James Mitchinson told a DCMS committee in a written statement: “Those who believe in a free press…should be deeply worried by the unsuccessful attempt to undermine The Yorkshire Post.”
