South Australian newsagents concerned about the moves by Advertiser Newspapers to take over collection of payment for all home deliveries of News Ltd product need to organise themselves. With the ANF currently only focusing on its 100 or so SA members (down from 400+ in late 2004), many newsagents are unrepresented on this issue of vital importance to all newsagents nationally.
At risk here is the relationship between newsagents and their customers of long standing. This will impact traffic in retail newsagencies. It may significantly impact the cash-flow of distribution newsagencies if all opinions are not considered.
I had hoped that the ANF would open its meeting on Thursday this week to all newsagents. Failing that, I had hoped that some newsagents with political abilities in SA would organise their own meeting of newsagents. Unless either of these occurs, the currently weak leadership from the ANF on this issue is set to prevail. What they have said so far about this issues demonstrates ignorance of the risks. This can be remedied if they open the meeting and listen to all newsagents and stop their spin.
This takeover by News Ltd is bad for newsagents. If it proceeds, it will further destabilise the fine balance in retail newsagencies and dilute our relevance to consumers.