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26

Mar 2021

Last Updated: 26/03/2021
Politics
Politics

Andrew Jones MP criticised for his 'news' website

by Thomas Barrett

| 26 Mar, 2021
Comment

0

The home page of Community News makes no reference to the fact that it is run by the office of Andrew Jones MP, which could lead some readers to think it is a genuine local news outlet run by journalists. Opposition parties have criticised the publication.

screenshot-2021-03-25-at-17

Harrogate & Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has been criticised for launching a local "news" website but not making it clear enough that it is a Conservative party publication.

The website Harrogate and Knaresborough Community News went live in September 2020.

Stories include Conservative councillor John Mann reporting "terrible" potholes in Pannal to the county council and Conservative council leader Richard Cooper speaking out against speeding on East Parade in Harrogate.

The home page makes no reference to the fact that it's set up by the office of Andrew Jones. It only becomes clear when you click on the "about" page, which also says the aim of the website is to provide news stories in "a non-political way".

Nearly every story on the website is about work and lobbying done by local conservative councillors and Mr Jones.

During last year's general election, the Conservative Party was critical of the Liberal Democrats for issuing campaigning leaflets masquerading as "fake" newspapers.



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Mr Jones already has his own website which includes news stories informing constituents about what he's been up to. Yet in March his website published no new stories and Community News website published four.

The Society of Editors, has issued a warning about political parties looking to circumnavigate the media to mislead the public and "blur the lines for readers".

Yesterday, the News Media Association launched a "Don't Be Duped" campaign demanding an end to the practice of political parties issuing "fake" newspapers.

Opposition parties in Harrogate have had their say on Mr Jones' new website and called on him to "be honest" with the people of Harrogate & Knaresborough.

Chris Watt, spokesperson for the Harrogate & Knaresborough Labour Party said:

"Honesty is important in politics. Harrogate & Knaresborough Labour always makes it clear to voters when we are contacting them. Whilst this may meet the letter of the law, it's clearly designed to disguise the fact that it's a Tory campaign communication. It's a shame to see them taking lessons from the Lib Dem playbook but we wonder why they are so keen to hide their identity from voters?"


Pat Marsh, leader of the local Liberal Democrats, said:

"If it's going to be publicly promotional for the Conservative Party it should say that clearly. He should be honest with the people."


The Stray Ferret contacted Andrew Jones but he did not respond.