Call for guidelines on public spending in Wales to help support local papers

A CODE is needed to lay down the rules for public sector advertising spending, an AM has claimed.

Ken Skates, Clwyd South AM, has called on the Welsh Government to develop new guidelines.

Mr Skates, who chaired a task and finish group into the media in Wales, said: "From road traffic orders to job adverts through to public notices and recycling information, millions of pounds is spent every single year by the Welsh Government, our NHS, local councils and other public sector bodies in advertising and communicating with the public.

"However, at the same time we also see a lot of confusion among the public about where to find this important information. We need clearer guidelines about how and where public money spent on advertising in the 21st century can be most effectively targeted.

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"If local papers, both online and in print, became the place where important local information about healthcare reforms, traffic information, job adverts or changes to important services such as refuse collection was housed, then the public would be much better informed."

He added: "We've had a lot of focus recently about the way in which public procurement can be used to support local businesses. I don't see why we can't do the same with local newspapers."