The forum has been created for the purpose of discussion on bitcoin, helping others to solve problem they face while using bitcoin. In a nutshell, the forum is all about a place of discussion for the bitcoin enthusiast. Signature is a partial benefit users are enjoying and some are enjoying benefits of paid signature.
In this regard, newbies are not the actual problem forum is facing. It's the signature campaign. Imagine, there's no signature campaign, no problem would have been there.

Imagine from my side, I am pretty sure Theymos would consider adding a local board for us if there was no signature campaign. Now, because of signature campaign, if Theymos create new board for us, a lot of spammer will be there and an active moderator will also be required which would not be the case if no signature was there.
In my local, all the media and blogs are misleading Bitcoin which might be another reason of govt not giving it a try which is why I had tried to get a local board and later even tried to build a local forum which was failed.
I have no problem with signature campaign but if for signature campaign, newbie some way get deprived of the forum feature, even a little bit, I would say no to signature campaign.