Super-retailers must not have power to censor the Press

The main route to market for newspapers and magazines is through a complex supply chain ensuring the widest achievable availability of the greatest possible diversity of news, opinion, ideas and entertainment.

As multiple retailers take an ever-greater share of sales of newspapers and magazines the fear grows that they will want to control the Press supply chain as they do most others. In the case of the newspaper and magazine supply chain they would gain the power of decision over which publications reach the market. In short, to assume the power of censorship.

While publishers strongly support moves to update the supply chain, bringing improved service levels and reduced waste, they also believe such essential changes are best achieved in a consensual way by the industry itself.

Government should:

	Accept that a free and diverse Press needs a secure route to market and that absolute territorial protection for supplies is the only way to achieve this.
	Encourage a consensual outcome.
	Discourage super-retailers from seeking a position where they could jeopardise freedom of expression and a free Press.