-PRESS RELEASE-
release date: Tuesday April 22nd 2003

Members of Totnes Peace Group have published a spoof of South Hams Newspaper, the 'Totnes Times'. The 'Troubled Times' was printed in response to censorship of anti-war stories in newspapers owned by Sir Ray Tindle - including the Totnes Times.

Five thousand of these papers have been printed and are being distributed in Totnes and other areas effected by the censorship of Tindle Newspapers.

Photo op -
A copy of the Troubled Times will be delivered to the Totnes Times office in Totnes, at 12pm on Wednesday 12pm.

At the same time, boycott statements signed by over 600
local people (saying that they will boycott the Totnes Times until censorship is stopped) will also be delivered.

Campaigners will demand that South Hams Newspapers to issue a formal statement that no further censorship will occur in the Totnes Times, or their other titles.

[ digital photos and broadcast quality video available ]

Tindle's censorship policy was announced by means of a front page article in the Totnes Times (and also carried in the other South Devon Tindle titles) by the editorial manager Gina Coles:

"In a brave move, which could easily be seen by some as censoring the news, Sir Ray ordered that once war in Iraq was declared his newspapers would not carry any more anti-war stories."

Adding her support for this 'order', she continued: "As editorial manager of eight of Sir Ray's titles, I am proud to say I totally agree with his decision."

Outraged by the announcement, members of Totnes Peace Group met with Totnes Times editor, Gina Coles, and South Hams Newspapers General Manager, Jackie Smith. This seems to have resulted in a change of position, as the Totnes
Times went on to print a story about a Silent Walk For Peace. However, campaigners would like the position clarified and are asking that a statement be made that no further censorship will be made.

Notes for editors :
Sir Ray Tindle's move to silence peace protestors was roundly condemned by the National Union of Journalists, the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, and many other writers and journalists.
 http://www.nuj.org.uk/front/inner.php?docid=487
 http://media.guardian.co.uk/iraqandthemedia/story/0,12823,919333,00.html

Tindle’s publications include: Monmouthsire Beacon, Cornish Times; Totnes Times; Ivybridge, South Brent & South Hams Gazette; Kingsbridge, Salcombe & South Hams Gazette;
Mid Cornwall Advertiser; Mid Devon Advertiser; North ornwall Advertiser; County Echo; Dartmouth Chronicle; Alton Herald; Biggin Hill News; Bordon Herald; Cambrian News; Farnham Herald; Haslemere Herald; Petersfield Herald; Pulman's Weekly News; Tavistock Times; Tenby Observer; The Exmoor Visitor; The Devon Heartland Visitor; The North Devon Visitor ..

A PDF of the Troubled Times can be downloaded from
 http://images.indymedia.org/imc/uk/the_paper.pdf