THE HISTORY OF TALKING NEWSPAPERS
Being able to see the printed word is something a lot of us take for granted. Blind and partially sighted people do not have this opportunity – but they could be helped in other ways. Many different avenues could be opened up to them if more thought and effort were applied. We have the technology … let’s use it.
THE START OF TALKING NEWSPAPERS IN THE UK
In January 1970, in Aberystwyth, the first Talking Newspaper (TN) was set up for blind and partially sighted readers in Cardiganshire.
The progress of talking newspapers and magazines from Aberystwyth to virtually every town and city of the UK has been well charted. The rate of that progress was such that a national body, Talking Newspaper Association of the UK (TNAUK), was established in 1974. Its objectives were to unite and serve the growing number of local Talking Newspapers and to stimulate their creation to reach every blind reader across the four nations who wished to keep in touch with their local community. There are about 500 groups today. Recorded versions of national newspapers and magazines were added to local newspapers in 1983, when a specialised recording centre was set up in Heathfield, East Sussex.
DISTRIBUTION
In 1970 the Post Office recognised the first Talking Newspaper as a bona fide organisation suitable for the concession of free, first class post for the ‘Articles for the Blind’ service. Since that day, it has shown remarkable vision in responding to the nature of newspaper recording and in its understanding of the versatility the Talking Newspaper offers to blind and partially sighted members of the community. 40 years ago no one visualised the day when virtually 40,000 recordings could be distributed weekly to 100,000 listeners across the United Kingdom.
TECHNOLOGY
In 1970 “technology” consisted of a Clarke and Smith 12-hour cassette, a “high speed” copier, a heavy playback machine and a variable speed recorder. In 1973 Telex copiers increased speed fourfold and enabled the use of the domestic cassette - mostly C90 - and smaller postal wallets. The demand by increasing numbers of growing TNs created its own market with other copier manufacturers entering the field, most showing a close and generous interest in the nature of the service. The cassette tape was the making of Talking Newspapers. But this is changing. Many TNs are now using digital recording equipment and are supplying listeners with their recordings on USB memory sticks, CDs or on the Internet.
THIRTY YEARS OF STABILITY
The local press has survived many problems over the years. Radio and television, local and national, were to see off the ‘local rag’ by constant news updates and making deadly raids on its advertising lifeblood.
Most Talking Newspapers took shape from the frequency of the local paper. The theme is local, regular and free. The weekly cassette became almost the norm and that proved to be a great attraction. Volunteers from the private, public and voluntary sectors responded by providing weekly reading, production and distribution. Inevitably there are occasions when TNs themselves make news. Editors and reporters respond to the need to report the twists and turns of their fortunes locally, to publicise their existence, enlist community support and to make the local newspaper available on a regular basis.
The national newspaper and magazine service at the National Recording Centre in Heathfield has, by its nature, not enjoyed the affection and buoyancy of the ‘local community’. Its resources are drawn from national systems and schemes such as professional fund-raising and from subscriptions for the 200 recorded titles.
TNAUK changed its own nature in 1985 and launched a trading company called Talking Newspaper Enterprises Ltd (TNEL). TNEL was created to contact additional media services in order to make profits for its parent charity and local and national services.
THE DOUBLE ROLE
TNAUK provided a support and help service for local organisations from 1974 to 2005 as well as running the subscription service for national newspapers and magazines. However, trying to operate the two systems together became increasingly difficult and it was finally agreed that more time and resources should be devoted to the subscription service - leaving little time for the local groups.
TALKING NEWS FEDERATION
At the TNAUK AGM in 2004, local Talking Newspapers decided to form their own organisation. The Talking News Federation (TNF) was created in 2005 to act solely as an umbrella organisation for local Talking Newspapers and Magazines and other charities providing audio recordings of news and information to blind and partially sighted people. There are now more than 500 local and independent TNs across the United Kingdom, mainly run by volunteers.
The Talking News Federation (TNF) is made up of 400 local TNs. TNF takes a long-term view of the future, and deals with issues such as Copyright, Articles for the Blind (free post), and proposed items of legislation and consultation. The TNF Executive Committee consists of 9 people (all of whom are volunteers) from member organisations. TNF has a small office in Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
Today TNF helps and advises local groups on many subjects including technical matters, getting new volunteers and listeners, legal issues and general management. TNF has formed links with other charitable groups who produce audio recordings with a view to working together to provide a better service for blind and partially sighted people.
|
