CROSS-PARTY MSPs are urging the Scottish Government to establish a fund to support local journalism after Scotland was left without an equivalent to a new £12 million UK Government scheme.
Scottish Labour MSP Katherine Sangster launched a motion in the Scottish Parliament pushing for financial support for local journalism, which has been backed by MSPs from across the political spectrum.
Sangster said: “Local journalists and news providers are an invaluable part of our communities. It is vital that the Scottish Government recognises this and puts a fund in place to support this thriving industry.”
MSPs have also lodged written requests at Holyrood.
Scottish LibDem MSP Liam McArthur asked in a written parliamentary question what the Scottish Government has planned to establish a local news fund.
Scottish Labour depute leader Jackie Baillie has written to Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth calling for the establishment of a fund.
The motion asks that Parliament recognises the “vital role of local journalism and the growing financial pressures facing local news providers across Scotland”, and calls on the Scottish Government to provide support and funding to alleviate these pressures.
This comes after an open letter by the Scottish Beacon reached more than 100 signatures. The letter is a response to Scotland’s exclusion from the UK Government’s Local Media Action Plan, which included a local news fund of around £12 million.
Though the plan is in effect in England and Wales, Scotland has no equivalent scheme.
Many have shared why they believe action is needed.
Artemis Pana, national coordinator at Scottish Rural Action, said: “Local news is critical to the wellbeing, participation and sustainability of our rural and island communities.”
Ellen Ormesher, investigative reporter at DeSmog, said: “In this moment of AI supercharged misinformation and political division, strong local journalism is desperately needed to keep communities informed and to foster a healthy information ecosystem.”
Murray Dawson, Chief Executive, Station House Media Unit added: “Trusted local journalism is essential to ensuring that communities can share their own stories, amplify lived experience and hold decision-makers to account.”
It comes amid a crisis of local journalism in Scotland. Newsrooms have closed, journalists have been lost and many communities have seen a significant decline in local reporting.
Earlier this year, Reach announced the closure of its Scottish printing press, threatening hundreds of jobs, as the company’s revenue continues to fall.
The open letter has been signed by journalists, academics, local residents, and editors and publishers at local publications.
The Scottish Beacon is now awaiting a response from the Scottish Government.
