How you can help

By striking, we want to send a message to management that we are not prepared to accept changes which we believe will damage your local paper.
Our bosses are far more likely to listen to us if they know we have the support of their customers - our local readers and advertisers.
With that in mind, here are some ways you can show your support for what we are doing:

• Like our Facebook page.
• Follow us on Twitter.
• Sign our petition.
• Download one of our posters and display it prominently in your window or workplace - click here to download.
• Take a picture of the poster, or your own message of support, and upload it to our Flickr group.
• Come along in person to show your support at Argus House in Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, Brighton.
• Comment on this blog.
• Spread the word.

Support from Mike Weatherley MP

It is easy to take for granted the importance of a locally relevant daily newspaper. Knowing what the public want to read - and then being able to provide it - is all about local knowledge.

The Argus has been a central important publication for many decades and I am concerned that some of that essential local content will get lost with the proposed changes. I urge the newspaper owners to consider alternative options.

- Mike Weatherley, MP for Hove and Portslade

Support from Mary Mears, Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council

As a City, we have managed to weather the economic storm relatively well, in part due to initiatives such as our Be Local Buy Local campaign. So it is disappointing that Newsquest have decided to relocate the Argus sub-editing function out of Brighton & Hove in favour of Southampton. Supporting local business is one of my key priorities as Council Leader and so any loss of local jobs is a real source of regret for me.

Last year, the Council unanimously passed a motion supporting the City’s local written media and expressing concern at the growing regionalisation of press coverage in general. Unfortunately, this latest move by Newsquest seems to be another example of this.

The Argus is a real Brighton & Hove institution and, although they clearly need to move with the times (and the economic realities), it is a great shame that they seem to be gradually locating their operations out of the City. For the sake of strong local democracy, I believe that Brighton & Hove needs a genuinely local newspaper with journalists and editors who have an in-depth understanding of local issues. I hope that Newsquest can be persuaded to reconsider this decision.

- Councillor Mary Mears

Support from Lord Bassam, Opposition Chief Whip, House of Lords

Argus reporters deserve the support of local people for their genuine commitment to local news. I hope the campaign is successful. Even in the era of cyber communications we need a local paper.

Over many years the Argus has been a valuable  community service reflecting on the issues of the day. As a local politician the paper helped me communicate and develop a rapport with residents across the city.

The paper has played an invaluable campaigning role over many years on subjects as diverse as City status and pensioner poverty. Keep up the good fight.

- Lord Bassam

Support from Councillor Ann Norman, Deputy Mayor of Brighton and Hove

I have always bought and read the Argus because it is a local paper with local journalists who have a good knowledge of the area in which we live and work.

Although we are all looking at ways to provide a good service as responsibly and economically as we can, it would be a very sad day should local journalists and other local workers not be producing our local paper from Brighton and Hove.

- Councillor Ann Norman

Support from Councillor Gill Mitchell, Leader of the Labour Group

Brighton and Hove must keep its local paper produced by local journalists who know the City and genuinely reflects its news and views.

- Councillor Gill Mitchell

Support from Councillor Paul Steedman

As a local councillor I find it deeply disturbing how little public scrutiny there really is of the the decisions which the Council - and other public service providers - take. A vibrant, well resourced local media, staffed by local people who know and understand the players and the issues, is absolutely central to maintaining accountability, and facilitating democracy.

I don't always see eye to eye with the Argus angle on every story - and it would probably be pretty worrying if the Argus agreed with me on everything - but the paper's coverage is one of the most important ways that local people can find out what the people they've elected are actually doing on their behalf, as well as what's going on in their communities, in the business world and in the arts, which make up life in our busy city.

While The Argus' reporters have valiantly tried to stay on top of all the issues, the decline in the breadth of coverage and especially in more investigative reporting has been noticeable over recent years as staffing has been pared to the bone. Debate on the letters page has similarly been curtailed. Getting rid of locally-based sub-editors seems to be the last straw. A quality product will sell, but that requires investment, not death by a thousand cuts.

I wish you the best in your fight not only to save jobs - crucial at a time when Government cuts are likely to be pitching large numbers of people in the city out of work - but to save a crucial piece in our democratic jigsaw.

- Councillor Paul Steedman

Support from Julie Stanford, Emeritus President of Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce

As an independent publisher I recognise the enormous value of journalists and editors; as a resident in the city and a business owner, I also recognise the value of those same journalists and editors having local knowledge if they are to produce factual, relevant content.

Whilst I understand the need for any business to keep its costs under tight control, this decision by Newsquest to move The Argus' sub-editing operation to Southampton seems short-sighted to say the least. I strongly urge Newsquest to think again and keep our journalists here in the city, where they belong.

- Julie Stanford

Support from Peter Bottomley MP

I shall do what I can in solidarity.

- Peter Bottomley, MP for Worthing West

Support from Councillor Amy Kennedy

You have the fullest support of myself and Green colleagues in your action to defend jobs and a much-loved local newspaper.

- Councillor Amy Kennedy

Support from Councillor Averil Older

Really shocked to hear this – The Argus has been a part of the city for so long. I hope your actions force a re-think and the paper stays local.

- Councillor Averil Older

Support from Councillor Bob Carden

My thoughts will be with you during your action.

- Councillor Bob Carden

Support from The Treason Show's Mark Brailsford

The Treason Show is with you! The Argus is very important locally and if it's being outsourced to Southampton it erodes the identity of this unique cultural city.

- Mark Brailsford

Support from Attila The Stockbroker, John Baine

A local paper should be produced locally by local journalists, not in a different county!

The Argus is an important part of our local culture.  One message for  Newsquest’s greedy board - reinstate the Argus subeditors and pay all the staff a decent wage!

- Attila The Stockbroker