The CPA represents owners of community newspapers and freesheets. 17,5% of the total advertising spend on print last year went to these freesheets. More than 80% of community newspapers are printed by either Caxton, Independent News & Media, or Media24.
The withdrawal of Caxton and Independent News and Media means that the CPA will suffer a considerable loss in membership fees and influence. 78 out of the 166 titles that are currently members of the CPA are owned by Caxton and Independent News & Media. Several titles jointly owned by Caxton and Media24 are also in the balance.
According to Piet Greyling, CE of Caxton, the CPA was overwhelmed by the bigger players in the industry. He said Caxton was withdrawing from the CPA to "to leave the association to the independents".
