Step up and safeguard local news, Ministers urged
The Scottish Government is being urged to introduce a range of measures, including a dedicated fund, to support local journalism and by doing so protect local democracy and strengthen communities.
Far North MSP David Green and the Culture spokesperson for the Scottish Liberal Democrats has written to the Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth warning increasing misinformation means “trusted local journalism has never been more important.”
His intervention comes in support of The Scottish Beacon campaign. Campaigners are calling for a dedicated Scottish Local News Fund, greater investment of public advertising in independent local news, and funded journalism placements that are accessible to independent publishers.
The Scottish Beacon campaign was launched in response to the UK Government's new Local News Fund, worth up to £12 million. The fund is intended to support local news outlets, many of which have faced significant financial pressures in recent years, leaving some communities without dedicated local news coverage altogether. However, no equivalent scheme has yet been established in Scotland.
In his letter to the Deputy First Minister, who is also the Finance Secretary, Mr Green called on the Scottish Government to revisit a 2022 recommendation from its Public Interest Journalism Working Group that at least 25% of the Government’s central advertising and marketing budget be invested with public-interest news providers. The recommendation was rejected by Scottish Ministers at the time.
David Green, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said:
"Local journalism plays such an important role in our local communities. It keeps people informed about what is happening on their doorstep and, just as importantly, holds those in power to account.
"With misinformation increasing rapidly on social media, protecting independent local news that people know and trust is only going to become more important.
"The Scottish Government needs to step up and support local journalism. It simply cannot be right that we find local news outlets in England and Wales accessing financial support while Scottish outlets go wanting.
"Ministers also need to look again at how public money is spent on advertising. I am concerned that the most up-to-date figures show a decline in advertising expenditure going to regional and local UK news publishers. Indeed, a number of local news outlets have raised exactly this issue with me over the summer.”
Mr Green added: "I also urge Ministers to take seriously The Scottish Beacon’s campaign for a Scottish Local News Fund. Local media outlets provide a public service, all too often on tight budgets. If we don't do more to support them now, we will feel their loss dearly.”
ENDS