The writing`s on


A Banksy artwork caused a frenzy and revealed a sharp local news deficit. Rachel Howells reports


I


t was a week before Christmas when Port Talbot steelworker Ian Lewis’s life became – in his own words – a nightmare. He had been scrolling through Facebook


when he saw photographs of a graffiti mural on a local garage. It showed a boy playing in snow, which, from a different angle, was revealed to be ash falling from a bin on fire, a comment on the town’s well-documented air quality issues. There was speculation it could be the handiwork of renowned street artist Banksy – and the garage belonged to Lewis. “Nobody knew if it was a Banksy or not. It was all a bit exciting and fun at first,” Lewis says. In the following days, Banksy confirmed the


work was his and the story went global. The mural was targeted by vandals and would-be thieves. “I realised I needed security,” Lewis says. He dipped into his savings to pay security contractors.


Many locals thought Lewis was lucky. Banksy’s


notoriety and the high prices of his work prompted some to stop him in the street with a gently mocking: “Here comes the millionaire.” Conversely, many people disliked the intrusion of 2,000 daily visitors during the following weeks, took offence at the mural’s anti-industrial message or felt strongly that the artwork ought to stay in Port Talbot rather than be sold and moved away. Lewis became the target of abuse, both online and in person, and was inundated with calls from journalists. He was signed off work with stress and it took a toll on his family and relationships. Meanwhile, a Banksy appearing in his home


town had piqued the interest of actor Michael Sheen.


“When Banksy confirmed it on his website, I


tried to find out what was happening,” he says. “It was on private property so not eligible for financial help. So then I contacted Ian.” Tony Colville works for Michael Sheen and was


tasked with helping. “Ian was under a huge amount of pressure,” says


Colville. “There was so much wrong information. Misleading press releases were going out from all kinds of places, then news reports were coming out – social media was going crazy. We were really worried about Ian. He was not coping.”


However, Colville credits the BBC for its


coverage. “A reporter from BBC Wales was really the only one who properly engaged with Ian. They did some great pieces, but they are Wales wide – they can’t keep covering the ins and outs of such a local story. And I guess it’s the same with Wales Online – they are looking for a wider audience.” The buzz of misinformation and rumour that surrounded Lewis is surely common to many ordinary people who become unwitting celebrities during an unfolding news story. Academic research suggests that Port Talbot is one of a growing number of places classed as ‘news black holes’, and this gives rise to additional problems during a story like this. I am familiar with that news black hole. In 2009, I was one of seven NUJ members who founded hyperlocal news service the Port Talbot Magnet, prompted by the closure of the town’s weekly newspaper, the Port Talbot Guardian. I also began a PhD at Cardiff University to examine whether there was a democratic deficit in Port Talbot following the Guardian’s closure. My research found a steep reduction in local


news provision. Since 1970, Port Talbot has lost more than 90 per cent of its journalists. Just one hard-working reporter now covers the (much- expanded) patch for Reach plc’s WalesOnline/


14 | theJournalist


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