Important information about your Western Telegraph (From Western Telegraph)

Important information about your Western Telegraph

1:40pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in News

NEARLY 160 years old and still going strong – that’s the good news story of the Western Telegraph.

Your county newspaper has been serving up all the latest news, sport and local information, and giving readers a chance to have their say about the issues that matter to the people of the county, since 1854.

There are many challenges facing the media in the 21st Century, from ever rising newsprint and fuel costs, to legal and ethical considerations, receding advertising sectors and moves away from just the traditional print medium to online where people expect to be able to get news and information for free.

There is, and always will be a place for local newspapers like the Western Telegraph, but quality journalism, independent from national and local pressures, has a cost and in these challenging economic conditions all businesses have to take stock.

It is therefore important that we face up to some tough realities, and that’s why this week you’ll notice some significant changes, including investment in additional pages, but also the need for a rise in cover price to £1.

If we want to maintain our high standards and provide coverage which is high quality and comprehensive, then we must charge a fair price.

Other newspapers of the same size as the Western Telegraph have actually increased their cover prices by much more than we are.

The Western Telegraph already provides readers with a comprehensive mix of news, comment, sport and features and, as part of our review, we’re strengthening and investing in what we provide with a range of new features and platforms.

We know that news from our local communities is vitally important to our readers, so we now have more room to include your news with 12 dedicated area pages. And this week, for the first time, we include a page of Wales news – featuring matters from the Welsh Government and National Assembly, and hot topics on the Welsh agenda.

There is also a page dedicated to the goings on of our local authorities and in coming weeks we will be bringing you details of how you can get involved in local democracy and ensure your views are heard. We will be talking to and hearing from your local councillors and representatives, and looking behind the headlines to see how their decisions impact on you.

We also have more room for your letters and online comments too, so you can join the debate on the issues that matter to you.

Our entertainments section has been extended to include a new gig guide and music page with news from local bands. We’ve also upped our online music presence with a new dedicated Facebook page where you can share you gig and band news and reviews. But that’s not all. We also have a new food page including an eating out review where we find out what it’s really like to be a customer at our local restaurants and cafes. Each week we will also be meeting a chef and finding out about local produce and their favourite recipes.

Plus, don’t miss our great new competitions with a chance to win some big prizes in coming weeks; This week it’s your chance to win a share of £500 of Tesco shopping vouchers.

We always welcome your comments and letters. If you have something to say about something we are doing, an issue that affects you or a subject you think we should be looking into, then we’d love to hear from you. Email wtnews@westerntelegraph.co.uk with your news and views.

Here’s to the next 160 years of Pembrokeshire people, places and news...