Social need must not be sacrificed in the pursuit of profit.

That is the NUJ's message to the Government and the Royal Mail, whose plans to axe the Newspaper Registration Service could lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs and diminished access to news and information.

Executives of giant corporations must be rubbing their hands at the prospect of the NRS being scrapped. The action could only boost their domination of the UK media, further narrowing choice and leading to the closure of small-scale publications with consequent job losses.

The union insists that meaningful democracy depends on the ready availability of diverse publications and that the Royal Mail's plans will threaten that right.

The Newspaper Registration Service, which was established in the 19th century to promote literacy and freedom of information, allows registered newspapers to receive first-class delivery for second-class rates. Among many benefits, this has allowed smaller publishers to reach readers, not well served by newsagents, by post.

Newspaper Society figures indicate that more than 90 per cent of UK regional and local newspapers rely on the service, which is also required by dozens of small-scale independent titles.

Withdrawal of the service, the NUJ insists, would damage regional newspapers and small, independent publications to the detriment of readers, particularly those in rural communities.

With the support of the Government, the Royal Mail is currently seeking to argue that it should have freedom to take such decisions on a purely commercial basis, claiming that the service loses £7 million per year.

However, the NUJ is calling on the Government, as the majority shareholder in the Royal Mail, to recognise the importance of its public service obligation and to intervene.

The union does not accept the Royal Mail's contention that the second-class delivery being offered is adequate as newspapers are, by their very nature, time-sensitive. Delays in delivery would result in out-of-date news and information, making the product worthless.

The NUJ also notes that, with small distribution budgets, many publications would be unable able to meet the cost of moving to first class postage rates and that passing the cost on to readers would inevitably affect circulation.

Despite Royal Mail assertions, the union rejects claims that the service is obsolete. Indeed, with local newsagents closing at a rate of one a day, the service is increasingly vital in enabling readers in rural areas to have access to a full range of publications.

For more than 80 per cent of UK adults, regional newspapers are vital to local economies being a key source of news on current affairs, council information, job vacancies and countless other topics.

There can be no doubt that restricting access to local newspapers would lead to reduced sales, lost readers and ultimately job losses.

Established social democracies the world over subsidise similar schemes and have done since 1792 when Thomas Jefferson persuaded Congress to pass the Post Office Act ensuring a state subsidy for the mailing of publications. This scheme still continues today to help ensure an economically viable and thriving alternative press.

The campaign to avert the closure, which is scheduled for September 2004, is backed by the CWU, GPMU, Newspaper Society and many others.