Australian-Media.com.au News

• Stokes hints at second WA daily newspaper

  April 3 2008 5:26pm (UTC+8)  -  Article by Kevin

  UPDATED 07/04/2008 | Kerry Stokes has dismissed speculation that he is planning to start a new daily newspaper in WA, indicating that he would prefer to improve The West Australian instead.
  
  "If the readership of a monopoly newspaper is declining then of course there will be speculation about the prospect of introducing a competitor," Mr Stokes told AAP.
  
  "My position is to stop that speculation by improving the content and therefore the circulation of The West Australian", he said.
  
  ORIGINAL ARTICLE | Seven Network boss Kerry Stokes has hinted at starting a second daily newspaper in Western Australia if he is unable to get a position on the board of WA Newspaper Holdings - publisher of The West Australian newspaper.
  
  Stokes yesterday launched a scathing attack on the newspaper, citing ongoing problems including editorial standards, declining circulation, negative public perception and the overall profitability of the newspaper.
  
  Seven, WAN's largest shareholder, is seeking to have all but one of WAN's board removed. An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders on April 23 will decide whether to keep or dismiss the board.
  
  Stokes denies he wants to take over the newspaper, however the WAN board thinks otherwise. WAN says Seven is trying to take over the newspaper without paying for it. Seven claims it only wants two board seats - one for Kerry Stokes and the other for Seven director Peter Gammell. They also want to expend the board to seven members - up from the current five members.
  
  WAN chairman Peter Mansell argues Stokes would have a clear conflict of interest if elected to the board as he would have a duty to work in the interests of Seven shareholders.
  
  You can keep up date with Seven's attempt to "Refresh the West" at refreshthewest.com.au.
  
  Australian-Media.com.au

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