Greenwich Council’s newspaper Greenwich Time is under intense scrutiny after a parliamentary debate called for government intervention against the ‘sinister trend’ of council publications masquerading as legitimate newspapers.

NEWSPAPERS produced by councils should be investigated by the government, MPs say.

During a debate at Westminster Hall last Wednesday, MPs called for restrictions on the type of publications councils can produce.

Paul Burstow, the Liberal Democrat MP for Sutton and Cheam who led the debate, said: “They are spending large amounts of public money to employ press officers to produce what amounts to little more than propaganda.”

Mr Burstow criticised the Greenwich Council-run Greenwich Time newspaper.

He said: “It mimics the format and content of a local paper. Its cost is £708,000 a year, of which at least £532,000 is borne by local taxpayers.

“Before it goes to print, every page is checked and approved by the council leader.

“The council claims it is not trying to put the local independent paper out of business but it has adopted the practice of holding back stories for exclusives for its own paper.”

David Evennett, Conservative MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford, said independent local newspapers are vital to democracy.

Responding to the debate, a council spokesman said: “Greenwich Council has a duty to provide residents with details of how they can access the services we provide and opportunities we provide.

“Greenwich Time is one of the ways we do this.

“It also provides a cost-effective way of advertising council homes on a weekly basis as Greenwich Time is the only paper which is both produced in the borough and delivered to all households in the borough.”

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