Seven West Media (SWM) has rubbished speculation that it is exploring the sale of a number of its regional Western Australian newspapers.

Nine’s Australian Financial Review reported earlier this week that SWM “could be keen to offload some of the titles to a potential buyer”.

The article also said that Nine and News Corp were looking to sell their respective regional and community publishing assets, and speculated that a potential buyer may end up buying them all.

Seven West Media’s regional WA newspapers include the Albany Advertiser, Bunbury Herald, South Western Times and Kalgoorlie Miner.

However, after originally declining to comment when approached by the AFR, an SWM spokesperson told B&T that “the publications are not for sale”.

Way back in April, News Corp signalled it had begun talking to interested parties about selling some of its regional titles.

Meanwhile, speculation has been growing about what Nine will do with its newly inherited Australian Community Media business as part of the merger with Fairfax Media.