Interesting to read people's comments about the decline in accuracy and quality in the Courier. As most of you will be aware, there has been a seismic shift in the newspaper industry with the 'perfect storm' of economic downturn and the growth of digital media.
The Courier is part of Johnsons Press, formerly a small family-owned group of weekly newspapers but now a major player after agressive expansion. They have been working on huge profit margins. To mainitain these against the 'perfect storm' they are making more efficiencies ie. getting rid of people.
All the sub-editors at the Courier - the people who check copy for grammar and legal pitfalls and write headlines and generally keep the quailty bar as high as possible - have been told their jobs are now in Sheffield where the paper is now printed. None are going and they are taking severence pay. This coincides with the introduction of a new Atex system where reporters write their story straight onto the page. Therefore, no checking and a huge increase in howlers and potential legal problems.
If only the bosses realised that any money they save working this way will be lost by fewer people buying the paper and advertisers not advertising in the paper.

Todays sensational exclusive! www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Is ... 6299655.jp

Todays sensational exclusive! www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Is ... 6299655.jp

Check out this shocking political scandal unearthed by the Worrier! www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Vo ... 6302236.jp

Check out this shocking political scandal unearthed by the Worrier! www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Vo ... 6302236.jp

Seems to have slipped a bit further now, as the Huddersfield Examiner site is now reporting some storys from Halifax,

One yesterday about a Fire off the Elland By Pass, (ok thats near to Huddersfield I guess) and one today about some woman threatening to jump off a Bridge on Burdock Way (North Bridge?) Both storys online by about 9am as well.

I wonder if, since the courier stopped putting the days news online early doors (seems to be more of the sports stuff they're witholding) if their circulation has increased.

those storys not even in todays courier.

The fly over was closed causing massive tail backs yesterday tea time... any news in the Worrier today.... of course not......

oh.. at least they managed to put 4 lines on their website about it though!