Finally, and thankfully, opposition group leaders in Cardiff Council have called for the end of the expensive council publication Capital Times, which is run at the expense of the Cardiff taxpayer.
The Capital Times for many years has run articles highlighting the achievements of the ruling party or parties, as well as the various members of executive staff, some of whom get paid more than the prime minister.
The publication continues to feature photographs and articles praising executive members and the Liberal/Plaid coalition. It has been felt within many camps that there is a significant political bias, giving only positive political coverage to those leading the council, and to the detriment of other members of the council.
It is described as Cardiff Council's ‘free newspaper' distributed eight times a year to a circulation of 155,000 homes. In 2008-2009, this ‘free newspaper’ cost £78,273 to print, £76,482 to distribute, as well as £29,984.52 for staff costs, making a grand total of £184,739.52. This makes the Capital Times one of the most expensive council newspapers in Wales, although in its defence the council states £57,000 of this sum is offset by advertising.
It could be argued that this is an effective way to communicate events within Cardiff to residents, but realistically even reducing the frequency of the distribution would reduce costs and increase desirability of adverting space, possibly leading to the paper paying for itself.
Either way, Cardiff taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for this ‘propaganda rag.’
Lee Canning, Cardiff TaxPayers' Alliance
Finally, and thankfully, opposition group leaders in Cardiff Council have called for the end of the expensive council publication Capital Times, which is run at the expense of the Cardiff taxpayer.
The Capital Times for many years has run articles highlighting the achievements of the ruling party or parties, as well as the various members of executive staff, some of whom get paid more than the prime minister.
The publication continues to feature photographs and articles praising executive members and the Liberal/Plaid coalition. It has been felt within many camps that there is a significant political bias, giving only positive political coverage to those leading the council, and to the detriment of other members of the council.
It is described as Cardiff Council's ‘free newspaper' distributed eight times a year to a circulation of 155,000 homes. In 2008-2009, this ‘free newspaper’ cost £78,273 to print, £76,482 to distribute, as well as £29,984.52 for staff costs, making a grand total of £184,739.52. This makes the Capital Times one of the most expensive council newspapers in Wales, although in its defence the council states £57,000 of this sum is offset by advertising.
It could be argued that this is an effective way to communicate events within Cardiff to residents, but realistically even reducing the frequency of the distribution would reduce costs and increase desirability of adverting space, possibly leading to the paper paying for itself.
Either way, Cardiff taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for this ‘propaganda rag.’
Lee Canning, Cardiff TaxPayers' Alliance