.PC 35

July 21, 1993
Issue 
107
World

.OJ OFF

.CW 13

Sun shines on British economy

By Frank Noakes

LONDON — Rupert Murdoch's Sun newspaper slashed its price by 5 pence to 20 pence on July 12 in a bid to win back lost readership. "Well done Sun" it congratulated itself across the top of page four, with a subhead proudly trumpeting: "Chancellor's [treasurer] top adviser backs our 5p price cut".

The opening paragraph explained the extent of the achievement: "A top economist last night praised The Sun's 5p price cut ... and said it could help kickstart Britain's economy."

Phew! Why didn't they think of it earlier?

Not to be outdone, the Sun's main opponent in the tabloid war, the Daily Mirror, said it with royalty. Princess Di: "You're Great", in half-page high lettering on the front cover.

By the following day, though, things were less heady. The Sun had found a taxi driver — no less — to sing its praises, and the Mirror responded deftly with a newsagent declaring the Sun banned from his shop because of the rag's patronising attitude to its readers.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, sales of this trash have shown a healthy decline since 1988. Back then the combined sales of the Sun, Mirror and the Daily Star was 8.3 million daily; over the past this years this figure has fallen by 1.5 million.

Tory set to take over New Statesman

LONDON — Having just fought off a libel writ from Tory Prime Minister John Major (costing it £250,000 in legal fees), the 80-year-old New Statesman and Society magazine is up for sale.

The weekly, with a very small "l" liberal political line (although regular contributions

from John Pilger and US journalist Alexander Cockburn contradict the general tone of the journal), has its roots in the Fabian socialist movement of the early years of this century.

NSS looks set to become a metaphor for the consensual politics of this country, with a former Tory MP, Derek Coombs, the likely new proprietor. The

NSS chief executive says of Coombs, "When we talked to him, he said he is a radical, pro-European, pro-Maastricht, in favour of PR [proportional representation] and replacement of the House of Lords with an elected second chamber. There would be no great disagreement about any of that."

To be profitable the magazine will need to lift weekly sales from the current 20,500 to just over 30,000.

... Frank Noakes

You need Green Left, and we need you!

Green Left is funded by contributions from readers and supporters. Help us reach our funding target.

Make a One-off Donation or choose from one of our Monthly Donation options.

Become a supporter to get the digital edition for $5 per month or the print edition for $10 per month. One-time payment options are available.

You can also call 1800 634 206 to make a donation or to become a supporter. Thank you.