"A free press run by professional journalists cannot be lightly dispensed with"

The community has begun to express its support for our Save the Surrey Comet campaign to keep quality journalism and oppose cuts to the paper.


The reporters at the Surrey Comet have called on owners Newsquest to think again about plans to cut jobs and pages leading to fewer stories about our community.

Fran O'Brien, of YADAPA (Young and Disabled and Positively Artistic), who lives in New Malden, said: "I've been reading the Surrey Comet for well over 50 years, please don't let this be the end of it!

Megan Naylor, who works for Yorda Adventures, a charity which works with disabled young people, said: "Cuts to Surrey Comet will be a massive blow to local families, businesses and charities. Protect our community spirit; protect the paper."

Matthew Rees, of Kingston, said: "Communities need local newspapers. It's as simple as that."

Political party the Christian Peoples Alliance, which stood candidates in the last council elections and the general election, also sent a statement of support.

David Campanale said: "As community activists in south west London, the Christian Peoples Alliance party express our complete solidarity with striking workers at the Newsquest Group. We value the part the Surrey Comet and Guardian papers play in holding decision-makers to account and for telling the stories of where we live.

"In a time of austerity, with cuts having a serious impact on the most vulnerable in our community, having a free press run by professional journalists cannot be lightly dispensed with. Christians everywhere champion truth and integrity.

"We oppose proposals to sack staff and close the leisure and sports department as they play a significant role in an important part in the cultural life of our communities.

"We back the demands of the NUJ that Newsquest divert some of their vast profits and invest them instead in maintaining quality journalistic content across the group."

Support has come in from Chessington, Surbiton, Epsom, Ewell, Cobham and as far afield as Devon and Wales.

What do you think? Tell us by leaving a message below or commenting on our petition.

You can still sign our petition at http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/savethesurreycomet