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READ ALL ABOUT IT – UK-Portuguese newspaper launched in Thetford, Norfolk

Joao De Noronha | 13.11.2006 09:16 | Anti-racism | Culture | Migration | Cambridge | London

Thetford based charity launches the first Portuguese newspaper to be fully edited and produced in the UK, hoping to reach the 500,000+ Portuguese nationals in the UK. Distributing in 600 places, mainly focussing on East Anglia and London. From an idea by META, a Keystone Equalities project.

“as notícias” (The News), a newspaper for Portuguese nationals based in the UK, was launched on Monday at the Keystone Innovation Centre in Thetford, Norfolk. Aimed primarily at the UK’s Portuguese Migrant Workers, “as notícias” will give more than 500,000 Portuguese people living in the UK the opportunity to receive information in their language.

In fortnightly format, “as notícias” will start with a circulation of 20,000 copies, aiming to reach a circulation of 50,000 by 2007. It will be distributed to more than 600 Portuguese businesses, organisations and associations in 60 locations across the UK.

Project Manager Joao de Noronha said: "“as notícias” will be a free newspaper, aiming to share information and communicate with Portuguese migrant workers. The idea is to move towards integration. It will have Portuguese news, UK and World news and stories from Portuguese communities. It will also give advice to avoid scams and exploitation."

The “as notícias” team consists of an editor and several professional journalists, many of whom are UK correspondents for several different media in Portugal. Its main editorial office will be based in Thetford, with a team of journalists and correspondents located in London and other Portuguese communities.

The newspaper developed from ideas by the Multilingual and European Thetford Association (META), a project managed by Keystone Development Trust, in Thetford. META offers information and advice to Migrant workers based in Norfolk and works with local statutory bodies to encourage community integration.
ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS
1. Attached: PDF of Front Page of “as notícias”

2. For any information about “as notícias” please contact:
João de Noronha, Project Manager
Mob: 07793199572 Tel: 01842 754639
Email:  joao.denoronha@keystonetrust.org.uk
www.keystonetrust.org.uk

3. For further information about META, please contact:
Elisa Pinto, Acting Equalities Coordinator
01842 754639
Email:  elisa.pinto@keystonetrust.org.uk
www.keystonetrust.org.uk




Joao De Noronha
- e-mail: joao.denoronha@keystonetrust.org.uk
- Homepage: http://www.keystonetrust.org.uk


Comments

Hide the following 3 comments

Portugese

13.11.2006 10:57

I know that this will anger many people but in my opinion this is a terrable waste of resorces. I presently work with many polish people,in fact I am the minority in a work place.In a city where I was born,yet polish is the first language spoken here,which surely has a health and safety issue.Even the polish people I work with think that this country is a soft touch. I know I`m going to be lambasted for being a xenophobe,racist ect. This is not the case,it`s a matter of practicality.As I have said,the Polish people I work with think this country is stupid for permitting this to happen as in Poland,as in many other european countries,an understanding of the mother tounge is a necessity on health and safety matters. Unfortunatly indiguneous peoples of these islands and city are in fear of being labelled racist,right wing,xenophobic ect if they speak up.This is certainly not the case we arec one of the most liberal peoples in europe.If people wish to come and live here and reap the rewards this country/city offers surely intergration is of importance.Personally I find the majority of Polish to be very anti black.Many africans to be anti west indian,ect.

@ngry


Waste of resources?

14.11.2006 12:52

Is the point you want to make that there should be a newspaper published in Polish here? You're probably right, but that's a different project.

If your point is that information shouldn't be provided in a language that people understand, you're wrong. The overwhelming Health & Safety risk to Migrant workers is exploitative bosses cutting corners where they think they can get away with it. The language issue is a red herring, Health & Safety is a management issue.

@rse


erm...

20.11.2006 09:44

Hang on, surely talking about health and safety and soft touches is irrelevant to this piece?

Looks to me like this is about a newspaper helping to provide information about the UK for those working here. And having accessible information in the right format is surely the first step for integration....?



Gilmore


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