Birmingham Post

Birmingham Post is a regional newspaper that has been in publication since 1857, covering news and events in Birmingham and the surrounding West Midlands region, including Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall, and Sandwell. The newspaper has a long history of reporting on local and national news, including major events such as the Birmingham Blitz during World War II and the Handsworth riots in the 1980s, which involved figures like Nelson Mandela and Margaret Thatcher. The Birmingham Post has also covered the city's cultural scene, including the work of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Birmingham Royal Ballet, as well as the University of Birmingham and Aston University. The newspaper has been owned by various companies over the years, including Trinity Mirror, which also owns the Birmingham Mail and Sunday Mercury, and has been edited by notable figures like Chris Morley and Stacey Barnfield.

● History

The Birmingham Post was first published in 1857, during the reign of Queen Victoria, and was initially a weekly newspaper that covered news and events in Birmingham and the surrounding area, including Warwickshire and Shropshire. Over the years, the newspaper has undergone several changes in ownership and format, including a switch to daily publication in the 1960s, under the editorship of John Junor and with the support of The Times and The Daily Telegraph. The newspaper has covered many significant events in Birmingham's history, including the Birmingham Small Arms Company strike in 1896, the Aston Villa F.C. football team's victory in the First Division in 1981, and the G8 Summit in 1998, which was attended by leaders like Bill Clinton and Tony Blair. The Birmingham Post has also reported on the city's cultural institutions, such as the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, as well as the work of local organizations like the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and the West Midlands Police.

● Circulation and Readership

The Birmingham Post has a circulation of around 10,000 copies per day, with a readership that includes business leaders, politicians, and other influential figures in the West Midlands region, such as Lord Digby Jones and Richard Burden. The newspaper is widely read in Birmingham and the surrounding area, including Solihull, Redditch, and Lichfield, and is also available online, with a website that features news, analysis, and commentary from experts like David Bailey (economist) and Katherine Bennett. The Birmingham Post has a strong following among the local business community, with many companies advertising in the newspaper, including Jaguar Land Rover, Cadbury, and Birmingham Airport. The newspaper's readership also includes students and academics from the University of Birmingham and Aston University, as well as professionals from the National Health Service and the West Midlands Fire Service.

● Content and Features

The Birmingham Post features a wide range of content, including news, analysis, and commentary on local and national issues, such as the European Union and the National Health Service, with contributions from experts like Vince Cable and Nigel Farage. The newspaper also includes features on business, sport, and culture, including interviews with prominent figures like David Cameron and Ed Miliband, as well as reviews of local restaurants, theaters, and music venues, such as the Birmingham Hippodrome and the Symphony Hall, Birmingham. The Birmingham Post has a strong focus on business and economics, with regular columns from experts like George Osborne and Mervyn King, and also covers the city's vibrant cultural scene, including the work of the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The newspaper's sport section includes coverage of local teams like Aston Villa F.C. and Birmingham City F.C., as well as national sports events like the Premier League and the Wimbledon Championships.

● Awards and Recognition

The Birmingham Post has won several awards for its journalism, including the Regional Press Awards and the British Journalism Awards, with recognition from organizations like the Society of Editors and the National Union of Journalists. The newspaper's journalists have also been recognized for their work, including Paul Dale, who won the Paul Foot Award for his investigative reporting on the Birmingham bin strike, and Jon Walker, who was named Journalist of the Year at the Regional Press Awards. The Birmingham Post has also been shortlisted for several awards, including the British Newspaper Awards and the UK Press Awards, and has been praised by figures like Nick Clegg and Harriet Harman for its coverage of local and national issues.

● Controversies and Criticisms

The Birmingham Post has been involved in several controversies over the years, including criticism for its coverage of certain issues, such as the Birmingham pub bombings and the Handsworth riots, which involved figures like Enoch Powell and Roy Jenkins. The newspaper has also faced criticism for its editorial stance on certain issues, such as the European Union and the National Health Service, with some accusing it of being too Conservative or too Labour-leaning, and has been criticized by figures like Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson. The Birmingham Post has also been involved in several high-profile libel cases, including a lawsuit brought by Tom Watson (Labour politician) over a story about the News International phone hacking scandal, and has been accused of being too close to certain politicians and business leaders, including David Cameron and George Osborne.

● Notable Staff and Contributors

The Birmingham Post has had several notable staff and contributors over the years, including Chris Morley, who served as editor from 2009 to 2015, and Stacey Barnfield, who was editor from 2015 to 2018, and has also included contributions from experts like David Bailey (economist) and Katherine Bennett. The newspaper's columnists have included prominent figures like Lord Digby Jones and Richard Burden, as well as local politicians like Sion Simon and Gisela Stuart. The Birmingham Post has also featured contributions from local business leaders, including Jaguar Land Rover's Ralf Speth and Cadbury's Irene Rosenfeld, and has been edited by notable figures like John Junor and Peter Walker (journalist). The newspaper's staff have also included notable journalists like Paul Dale and Jon Walker, who have won awards for their reporting on local and national issues.

Category:Newspapers published in the United Kingdom