A Hidden Agenda?

The Standard Group wishes to bring to the attention of the public a disturbing development whose existence it has established through its continuous interaction with, and surveillance of, the market and trade.

There are certain individuals who are linked to parties and groups that are yet to be identified who have been going around the city and its environs seeking to induce vendors not to display or sell the Standard titles.

In return, these individuals are seeking to compensate the vendors for the commissions earned. The information obtained so far suggests that the reason for these machinations is first to deny the readers a copy of The Standard daily because of a perception that its editorial content may not be very favourable to certain vested interests.

Investigation to establish the source of these machinations and sponsors with the object of making appropriate exposures as to who may be involved are continuing.

In the meantime, we wish to appeal to our readers and public at large to continue demanding a copy of their favourite paper without fear of intimidation from any quarter.

We wish also to thank the vendors for their continued support and resilience in an otherwise challenging environment.

We are also appealing to anybody with any information to report this illegal activity to the police and the Standard Group as a matter of great public interest.

On its part, the Group assures readers and the public of its continuing commitment to balanced, accurate and authoritative editorial content in the service of the wider public interest without fear or favour.