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British Press creative challenge: entries remind us that newspapers can be a force for good

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By The Drum Team, Editorial

March 21, 2013 | 3 min read

We asked our readers in the creative community to take on one of the toughest briefs imaginable: to design a support campaign for the beleaguered British Press.

It is no mean feat, given the controversy that has surrounded the journalism industry in recent times, but brave designers have already taken up the challenge.

The best entries we receive will be published in the next issue of The Drum, but in the meantime here’s a sneak preview of some of the work we’ve been sent so far.

Palmer Watson’s adverts remind us that it was the press that exposed its own phone-hacking scandal and journalists that brought to light a litany of political scandals including MPs’ expenses, the ‘dodgy dossier’ and cash for access.
“Don’t expose the press to their control,” the campaign urges. It questions whether those in power in this country would ever have been brought to book without a free press.
Living Group’s adverts for a fictional ‘Free Press Association’ ask: What’s the price of freedom? “30p if it’s the Sun. 80p if it’s The Daily Telegraph. But whatever you pay could be worthless if MP’s have their way.”
Stephen Bushe, creative director at The Marketing Store London, has devised the Free Press Alliance for newspapers. "The press simply don't need to 'make it up', the politicians, royalty and celebrities do it all for them," Bushe's rationale reads.We know it’s not easy to sympathise with journalists, but with the press’s freedom at stake, the industry needs the public on side now more than ever.So we want to see your ideas. The brief, should you choose to accept it, is to design a campaign for a fictional newspaper body that reminds the public about the value of a free press, and the dangers of placing it under statutory control. Submissions should include a campaign line, a rough representation of a potential execution and a rationale. Entries will form a feature looking at how the industry needs to repair its reputation if it hopes to win back the trust of the readers. All entries should be sent to editorial@thedrum.com with the deadline set for lunchtime (12pm) on Friday 22 March.

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