Welsh editors in the firing line

The South Wales media's ongoing radical changes crystallised further yesterday.

Journalism trade magazine Press Gazette reported that the roles of four newspaper editors across the region were likely to be made redundant.

The papers in question are the weeklies in the Celtic group, part of the Western Mail stable. They include the Merthyr Express, Gwent Gazette, Rhondda Leader, Pontypridd Observer, Cynon Valley Leader and Glamorgan Gazette.

Closed

A single editor-in-chief is expected to oversee the weeklies. The same group closed the Neath and Port Talbot Guardians a year ago.

Media Wales publishing director Alan Edmunds is quoted as saying: “The future development and operational requirements of these titles as well as the needs of the communities that they engage will be better served by a new approach, taking advantage of the opportunities afforded by our multimedia news operations.”

Economics

It's also likely that simple economics have much to do with the measure. The loss of three editor salaries will be a handy cost reduction on the balance sheet.

Media Wales isn't the only operation making hard decisions. In recent years the South Wales Evening Post group has experimented - and reconsidered - with joint editorship of its weekly titles the Llanelli Star and Carmarthen Journal.

Globally, the news trade continue to evolve too as media businesses struggle with new technology and recession.

Developments

In a key London lecture this week, former Washington Post executive editor Leonard Downie Jr looked at likely future developments of the journalism industry.

He said: "Much of the most-needed journalism is still best produced collaboratively by stable news organizations that can facilitate professional reporting by experienced journalists, support them with money, logistics and legal backing, and present their work to a large public.

"Credible, verifiable journalism about what is important in life is needed more than ever amidst the babble of the blogosphere and social networks, the polarizing opinion and propaganda, the tabloid invasions of privacy and the cynical audience appeal of news presented as entertainment and entertainment presented as news.

"The challenge I see is to turn this tumultuous moment of transformation into a beneficial reconstruction of journalism, enabling credible, verifiable, independent news reporting to emerge, enlivened and enlarged, from the current decline of long-dominant news media."

July 28's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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South Wales Evening Post Click
Good News – A mining company has revealed Neath Valley expansion plans to safeguard more than 200 jobs and create an extra 45. Energybuild plans a new infrastructure at Aberpergwm Mine near Glynneath. Click
Bad News – Llanelli's £4.6m Technium Performance Engineering building employs just 27 people. It was meant to create 800 jobs with the centre itself accommodating up to 100. Click

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Bay Radio 102.1fm Click
Summer Fun - The No Fit State circus company will bring a spectacular aerial playground and open house programme of taster sessions, rehearsals and workshops to Pontardawe Recreational Fields from August 7-14. Click
Music Selection – Tunes played from 5-6am today included: Wet Wet Wet, Love Is All Around; Erasure, Sometimes; Kylie Minogue, Spinning Around; Carole King, It's Too Late; Ronan Keating, When You Say Nothing At All.
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BBC Cymru Wales Click
News 1 - Glamorgan CCC are to ban a group of around 20 supporters from home matches following abusive behaviour during Sunday's one-day win over Sussex at St Helen's, Swansea. The county said they were from Ynysygerwn CC, near Neath. Click
News 2 - Two artists are so worried about the plight of honey bees that they've formed a choir to sing a special piece of music based on bee sounds. It was being debuted at Swansea University yesterday with public events to come on August 6 and 9. Click
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July 26's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Social Media Twitter #Swansea
5.36am - realwalesnews: Nurse Stabbed To Death In Hospital Car Park: A murder hunt has been launched ... http://bit.ly/9vLdWA
7.38pm - bbcwales Sport: Glamorgan cling on to beat Sussex http://bit.ly/b30LJM
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Print South Wales Evening Post Click
News - The family of Swansea novelist Iris Gower has been paying tribute to the writer who has died after a short illness.
Commercial – Swansea is about to get two new nightclubs. Odyssey plans to open in Little Wind Street, The Surf Club in Castleton Arcade, Mumbles.
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Broadcast BBC Radio Wales 93-104fm, 657 & 882mw Click
News - Home Secretary Theresa May is due to outline a new structure for policing across the UK today, including the opportunity for locally elected force commissioners.
Sport - Super League side the Crusaders strengthened their play-off chances with a 30-24 win over Castleford Tigers at the Gnoll, Neath, yesterday. It was their first game in South Wales since they moved to Wrexham at the end of 2009.
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Online Real Radio 105-106fm Click
News - Real Radio is throwing its support behind the National Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale from July 30-August 7. Visitors expected, 160,000. More here - http://bit.ly/dndl0Y
Celeb - Ever wondered what happened to Craig David? Perhaps not - but here's a Real Radio video interview with the Southampton songster anyhow ... http://bit.ly/aB408T
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July 5's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Print South Wales Evening Post Click
News - A family were thrown off Gower's Carreglwyd Camping and Caravan Park after taking air guns on holiday with them. Meanwhile, a man has been fined for releasing a 4ft python into a field near Ammanford.
Sport – Paulo Sousa is no longer manager of Swansea City, the Evening Post understands. He's left for Leicester City.
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Broadcast BBC Radio Wales 93-104fm, 657 & 882mw Click
News - A five-year-old South Wales girl has died after becoming trapped by an automatic sliding gate.
Sport - The BBC understands that Paulo Sousa has left Swansea City to join Championship rivals Leicester City.
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Online Real Radio 105-106fm Click
Sport - Hendy-based Robert Croft is hoping to break the 1,000 first class wicket barrier for Glamorgan in today's County Championship match against Northamptonshire .... oh, and Paulo Sousa's gone.
Commercial - Key home page ads include: Nathaniel Cars, Bridgend; Sony Ericsson Vivaz Pro from 02; Anadin.
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April 19's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Print South Wales Evening Post Click
Key news - A Gower man whose conviction for attempted rape has been quashed says his life will never be the same again following the ordeal.
Pride Awards – Strong coverage of the Evening Post's first Pride Awards from the Brangwyn Hall ... featuring actress Ruth Madoc, Swansea Sound's Kevin Johns, Swansea Lord Mayor Alan Lloyd and top prize winner Leigh Davies.
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Broadcast The Wave Click
Commercial - Typical ad break ... Ffos Las Racecourse, Travel Code Wales, Toyota, Dawsons Lettings Swansea, webuyanycar.com.
Editorial - Two men charged with the murder of a Cardiff 17-year-old are due to appear in court today.
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Online BBC Cymru Wales Click
News - Cardiff Airport will stay shut until at least 7pm today despite British Airways successfully landing a test flight to the airport from Heathrow to gauge safety in the light of the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland. Click
Sport - Glamorgan secured a 76-run victory and their first County Championship win at Lord's in 56 years after mopping up the Middlesex tail. Click
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Today's Swansea Bay Media Highlights

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For all those interested in & working in the Swansea Bay media
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Print South Wales Guardian Click

Lead story – News that libraries in Llandybie, Glanaman and Penygroes are to be axed in a council cost-cutting drive have caused widespread dismay.
Arts attack – A couple of stage treats are promoted – Morecambe (an Eric Morecambe biog – pictured right) in Carmarthen and Strike 25 Streic (a look at the 1984-85 pit strike) in Ammanford, Llanelli and Carmarthen. Click 
Promo power – Well done to the successful Cwmcerrig Farm Shop & Grill in Gorslas, now advertising their first anniversary. Click
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Broadcast BBC Radio Wales Click 
Key local story – The Welsh Assembly has new powers that should lead to major improvements to mental health services.
Promo power – The countdown to Cardiff City’s FA Cup tie at Premiership leaders Chelsea is in full swing. To deliver extra publicity for your business latch on to big sporting events when they occur in South Wales.
You heard it here – Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn-Jones is due to visit the Pembrokeshire Chevron base today to discuss the company’s worldwide restructuring plans. Around 1,400 people work there.
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Online Sporting Wales a fine, innovative photo glossy ... also online Click 
Key local story – Swansea City and Wales defender Ashley Williams on being booed by his own fans in a 3-0 home win. Click and scroll to p34
Publicity power – A reminder from Cardiff’s Swalec Stadium that this summer sees England’s one-day cricketers take on Australia. Time for some Down Under-related publicity for any enterprise with an Australian link! Click and scroll to p31
Don’t miss – Swansea Bay, Glamorgan and England cricket star Robert Croft on how sporting life goes on at 40. Click and scroll to p11
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Make every penny count! Andy Pearson can guide your business through the media minefield. Phone 07758 745 240. Email andy@andypearsonpublicity.co.uk
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