Save our Statesman
Sir: Time was when the New Statesman was referred to as a 'David amongst Goliaths'. It was at a time when the paper had also clocked up a circulation of over 90,000 copies; when the Economist was selling less than 60,000 copies worldwide and The Spectator just over 40,000 (Media studies, 11 April). A success by any standards. In the turbulent post-war years it was a good time for crusading papers and, under the inspired editorship of Kingsley Martin, the New Statesman's devoted readers eagerly awaited their 'weekly mental tonic'. But over the last 40 years circulation has slowly and inexorably declined. The crusades with which the NS identified have been won. The banners are down. India is now inde- pendent; CND is no longer a burning issue.
The once proud New Statesman is now a political football. Many editors and various proprietors have struggled in vain to re- establish the paper's authority. But without evidence of demand, or at least awareness of a targeted market, how could they suc- ceed? Editorial independence is won by being in the black, but editors of journals of comment don't much like the marketeers to show them the way. Conversely, too much editorial freedom can quickly lose readers, as happened when editor Dick Crossman effectively hijacked the paper to serve his own narrow political interests. The propri- etor holds the reins and strikes the balance.
But the piper who calls the tune for jour- nals of comment is more likely to espouse a cause than seek profit from publishing. And successful publications need publishers, not bell-ringers. Above all, the New Statesman needs a publisher — one of substance and understanding, who can provide the neces- sary professional support and identifies with the paper's need for editorial indepen- dence. Is there a Conrad Black out there? Dick Dyerson (General Manager, New Statesman, 1967-72) 38 Shannon Way,
Beckenham, Kent
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