“as notícias” (The News), a newspaper for Portuguese nationals based in the UK, was launched on Monday at the Keystone Innovation Centre in Thetford, Norfolk. Aimed primarily at the UK’s Portuguese Migrant Workers, “as notícias” will give more than 500,000 Portuguese people living in the UK the opportunity to receive information in their language.

In fortnightly format, “as notícias” will start with a circulation of 20,000 copies, aiming to reach a circulation of 50,000 by 2007. It will be distributed to more than 600 Portuguese businesses, organisations and associations in 60 locations across the UK.

Project Manager Joao de Noronha said: "“as notícias” will be a free newspaper, aiming to share information and communicate with Portuguese migrant workers. The idea is to move towards integration. It will have Portuguese news, UK and World news and stories from Portuguese communities. It will also give advice to avoid scams and exploitation."

The “as notícias” team consists of an editor and several professional journalists, many of whom are UK correspondents for several different media in Portugal. Its main editorial office will be based in Thetford, with a team of journalists and correspondents located in London and other Portuguese communities.

The newspaper developed from ideas by the Multilingual and European Thetford Association (META), a project managed by Keystone Development Trust, in Thetford. META offers information and advice to Migrant workers based in Norfolk and works with local statutory bodies to encourage community integration.
ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS
1. Attached: PDF of Front Page of “as notícias”

2. For any information about “as notícias” please contact:
João de Noronha, Project Manager
Mob: 07793199572 Tel: 01842 754639
Email:  joao.denoronha@keystonetrust.org.uk
www.keystonetrust.org.uk

3. For further information about META, please contact:
Elisa Pinto, Acting Equalities Coordinator
01842 754639
Email:  elisa.pinto@keystonetrust.org.uk
www.keystonetrust.org.uk