Damned by self-praise

There is something uniquely surreal about the world of local journalism in that its practitioners are able to peddle two contradictory outlooks in the same publication and expect no-one to notice. An excellent example appears today in Swansea’s local rag which bears an editorial proclaiming that local voters are too sophisticated to be impressed by the tit-for-tat of political games – yet it expects the same readership to be taken in by the groundless suggestion that new safety railings at Swansea Marina are a down to the power of the local press.

According to one of its hacks, the Evening Post has been “campaigning” for improved safety at the city’s waterfront since 2003 when a local tragedy raised concerns about the absence of barriers. This was eight years ago and whilst the family involved is understandably willing to credit the paper for its coverage, it is hardly an overnight success. As it happens, the new railings are part of an entirely separate grant-aided scheme designed to enhance the riverside – and not a safety initiative.

But let’s be honest, the move that saw local neurosurgery services shunted off to Cardiff in the face of local opposition simply confirmed what most people already know; when it comes to campaigning on behalf of the community, the Evening Post is about as effective as bubble gum in a blast furnace.