An edition of the Tyne Tees Television current affairs programme Close Up on Teesside's local newspaper the 'Evening Gazette' presented by reporter David Taylor. The programme looks at the origins of the paper from its Victorian beginnings through to its current ownership under Lord Roy Thomson, with the importance of telesales to the contemporary newspaper's finances. The final part of the programme is an interview with Roy Thomson about the future of both national and...

An edition of the Tyne Tees Television current affairs programme Close Up on Teesside's local newspaper the 'Evening Gazette' presented by reporter David Taylor. The programme looks at the origins of the paper from its Victorian beginnings through to its current ownership under Lord Roy Thomson, with the importance of telesales to the contemporary newspaper's finances. The final part of the programme is an interview with Roy Thomson about the future of both national and regional newspapers. A newspaper vendor stands on a street corner in the centre of Middlesbrough. Stills and view of a newspaper library and old copies of the Daily Gazette follow. A carrier pigeon is released  to show how reporters used to file their stories in the old days.  The daily journalists' conference is in progress in the contemporary newpaper offices, planning the stories for the day. Reporter Alan McKenzie interviews a man in the street about a housing problem. The story makes the front page of that day's edition. Typesetting work and the presses are in action. Sports editor, Cliff Mitchell, at Ayresome Park football ground watches the team training and discusses prospects with the captain/coach Stan Anderson. Newsview reporter David Taylor describes the development of sports journalism with views of various articles from the Sports Gazette from the early twentieth century. In the 1930s things changed again for the Gazette when it moved to new premises in Borough Road. There are views of the building that was bought out by Canadian businessman Roy Thompson. Inside the telesales department, telephone salesgirls are at work, an American idea introduced by Thompson. Interviews follow about the importance of Thompson's influence on the Gazette and how it developed from a family firm. Also about maintaining an interest in local issues while bowing to economic and commercial considerations. There are general views of the despatch room, bundles of papers hot off the press loaded into vans for delivery. Interview with Lord Thompson, newspaper magnate, about various aspects of the press. He talks about the large number of national papers available in Britain and about subsidies. He thinks that the regional and local press are quite good in Britain, as long as they realise that there is not room for more than one publication in each town. He continues to talk about printing improvements and future potential. He answers questions about editorial policy and politics. He currently owns 182 newspapers and intends to buy more.