Open Letter: Scotland Should Not Be Left Behind on Local News

Local news is one of the foundations of a healthy democracy and strong communities.

It keeps people informed about the decisions that affect their daily lives, holds those in power to account, celebrates local achievements and gives communities a shared understanding of the places they call home.

At a time when public debate is increasingly shaped by polarisation, misinformation and social media algorithms that reward outrage over understanding, trusted local journalism has never been more important. Research suggests that communities with stronger local news are more resilient to misinformation and political division, while people who engage with local news feel more connected to their communities and less isolated.

Yet across Scotland, local news is under increasing pressure. Newsrooms have closed, journalists have been lost and many communities have seen a significant decline in local reporting.

This is not simply a challenge for the media industry. It is a challenge for Scotland’s democracy, communities and civic life.

Through its recent Local Media Action Plan, the UK Government has recognised that local journalism deserves public investment, launching a new Local News Fund worth up to £12 million. However, because support for the press is a devolved matter, local news organisations in Scotland are excluded from the main funding programme. Welsh publishers can apply to the UK fund while also benefiting from a dedicated Welsh Government Local News Fund. Scotland has neither.

We are calling on the Scottish Government to work with the local news sector to deliver three practical measures. Add your name here.

1. Create a Scottish Local News Fund

Governments across the world are already recognising that local journalism is essential public infrastructure and journalism funds are becoming increasingly common. The UK Government has launched a Local News Fund worth up to £12 million to help sustain and innovate local journalism. However, Scottish publishers are excluded from applying in the first year because support for the press is a devolved responsibility. Meanwhile, the Welsh Government has established its own £210,000 Local News Fund, while Welsh publishers are also eligible for the UK scheme.

Scotland should not be left behind. 

If support for local journalism is a devolved responsibility, Scotland should establish its own Scottish Local News Fund to ensure Scottish publishers are not disadvantaged while equivalent support is available elsewhere in the UK. This could support public interest journalism, innovation and sustainability across Scotland’s diverse local news sector, ensuring communities continue to have access to trusted local reporting.

2. Invest public advertising in local news

A meaningful proportion of Scottish Government and local authority advertising should be directed towards local news publishers, ensuring that public information reaches trusted local audiences while supporting the journalism that keeps communities informed. Internationally, New York City has adopted a policy that directs a significant proportion of its public advertising to community media, recognising that public spending should also strengthen local information ecosystems.

3. Invest in the next generation of local journalists

Scotland should create funded journalism placements that are accessible to local news organisations of all sizes, helping grow the workforce, diversify journalism and strengthen reporting in communities across the country. Canada’s Local Journalism Initiative shows how targeted investment in journalism jobs can strengthen local reporting, particularly in underserved communities.

These are practical, achievable measures that would strengthen democracy, improve access to trusted information and help ensure every community in Scotland has access to high-quality local journalism.

Supporting local news is not simply an investment in journalism. It is an investment in stronger communities, better-informed citizens and a healthier democracy.

We urge the Scottish Government to seize this opportunity and work with the sector to develop a long-term strategy that secures the future of local news in Scotland.

If you believe Scotland’s communities deserve strong local news, we invite you to add your name.

This open letter has been initiated by The Scottish Beacon and is open to anyone who believes local news is essential to Scotland’s future.

If you’re happy to be included, please sign here.

• • Rhiannon J Davies, Founding Editor of Greater Govanhill
  • Paul Fisher Cockburn, Editor, C&B News
  • Alan McIntosh, Editor, Broughton Spurtle
  • Sarah Ade, Editor, Glenkens Gazette & Doon Valley Gazette
  • Phyllis Stephen, Founding Editor The Edinburgh Reporter and The Glasgow Reporter
  • Jane Cruickshank, Founding Editor, The Bellman
  • Hans J Marter, Owner and managing editor of Shetland News at www.shetnews.co.uk
  • Juliana da Penha, Founding Editor and Director, Migrant Women Press
  • Amanda Eleftheriades-Sherry, Founding Editor Clydesider magazine & Clydesider TV
  • Phil Bowen, Owner and Founding Editor, MidlothianView.com and GlasgowView.com
  • Julian Calvert, Founding Editor of The Lochside Press
  • Silvia Muras, Founding Editor of Kyle Chronicle
  • Lexie Kirkconnell-Kawana, Chief Executive, Impress
  • Jonathan Heawood, Executive Director, Public Interest News Foundation
  • Abla Kandalaft, Chair, Independent Media Association
  • Paul Dobson, Investigative Journalist / Director at The Ferret
  • Catherine Happer, Professor and Director, Glasgow University Media Group, University of Glasgow
  • Indra Adnan, Founder / co-initiator of The Alternative Global / Spring
  • Rob Edwards, The Ferret
  • Ellen Ormesher, Investigative Reporter, DeSmog
  • Alex Airnes, UK Community Radio Network
  • Katherine Sangster MSP for Scottish Labour
  • Nick Addington
  • Jacob Granger, community editor, JournalismUK
  • Marcela Kunova, Managing director, JournalismUK
  • Calum Grewar, Editor, The Glasgow Bell
  • Osbert Lancaster, Podcaster, Thrivable Scotland
  • Tina Marshall, Journalist and Energy Consultant, Irish Writers Union
  • LM Bruce, Editor, Modern Scot
  • Simon Sharkey, Director/CEO, The Necessary Space
  • Mark Harcus, Editor, The Orcadian
  • Leah Seator, Managing Director, Orkney Media Group
  • Robert Sinclair Robertson, Chairman, The Orcadian
  • Michael Russell, Editor West Highland Free Press
  • Erin Rizzato Devlin, Investigative Journalist and Researcher
  • Murray Dawson, Chief Executive, Station House Media Unit
  • Louise Halkett, Journalism lecturer, City of Glasgow college
  • Mairi Telford Jammeh, Community reporter, Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser
  • Ian Pennell, Campaigner for better Regional TV in Northumberland and Scottish Borders, Look North Must Look North (Website)
  • Simon Barrow, Scottish Public Interest Journalism Initiative
  • Charlie McMillan, Director, Human Rights Consortium
  • Jill Keegan, Programme & Partnerships Manager, Scottish Community Alliance
  • Artemis Pana, National Coordinator, Scottish Rural Action
  • Carron Tobin, Exec Director, SCOTO CIC – The Scottish Community Tourism Network
  • Tracey Mills
  • Ernie Watt
  • James Miller
  • Lesley Carruthers
  • Christine Murdoch
  • Zoe Greenfield
  • Malcolm Brown
  • Richard Soutar
  • Clare Sander
  • Graeme Pittillo
  • Mary Macgregor
  • Dr. Melissa Espinoza
  • Leslie Sinclair
  • Chris Holme
  • Skye Renee Foley
  • Kirsty Hall
  • Julia Dall
  • Linda Mabon
  • Julie Lomax
  • Martin Meteyard
  • Alex McCulloch
  • John Gordon
  • Rosemary Macklin
  • Peter Robinson
  • Isla Whateley
  • Victoria Sharratt

  Sign the letter

  Comments from supporters of the letter include:

  The UK Government should be congratulated for finally putting forward money in support of local news. Much more still needs to be done though, including a similar fund for Scotland that would recognise the valuable work that is done by the growing sector of small independent news publishers

  – Hans J Marter, Owner & Managing Editor, Shetland News

  Local news and arts are our best opportunity to engage with global events as they occur in the places we live. If we can’t see how climate, injustice and economic crises show up on our doorstep we disconnect and become passive. More local journalism (and arts) means more citizen agency.

  — INDRA ADNAN, Founder / Co-initiator, The Alternative Global / Spring

  Local news is difficult to find in Scotland. BBC Scotland has a decreasing subscription and STV offers us 10mins of news each evening transiting to sport. Both unionist organisations have agenda and often miss positive news which would help our nation believe in itself again.

  — Kirsty Hall

  Power should be able to be held accountable so relevant and truthful information must be readily available.

  — Linda Mabon, Retired Teacher

  If we want true democracy, if we want the public to make informed choices and we want authorities and decision-makers in Scotland to be accountable, then we need high quality journalism to serve all of Scotland’s communities, large or small, easily accessible or remote.

  — Gary Spinks, Founder and Journalist, Beyond Scotland

  I support a move towards locally funded news in Scotland because strong, community-rooted journalism ensures people have trustworthy reporting that reflects their lived realities and strengthens democratic accountability.

  — Dr. Melissa Espinoza

  Centralising Governmental decision-making, including at LA level, means affected communities are at risk of not spotting something that may affect them. People need a means of expressing their views so that others can be informed and so that local representatives can take these views forward to decision-making forums.

  — Archie Clark

  This is a basic requirement for any democratic society.

  — Clare Sander

  As news media is increasingly dominated by the politics of the billionaire owners, local news and journalism is more important than ever in order to provide grass roots perspective.

  — Graeme Pittillo

  A strong, independent, local media ecosystem is essential for people and nature to thrive.

  — Osbert Lancaster, Podcaster, Thrivable Scotland

  I wholeheartedly agree with the Scottish Beacon’s calls to create a Scottish Local News Fund. 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. Scotland is already brimming with quality publications, journalistic talent, and eager readers. Support from the Scottish Government would enable the country’s media to not just survive but thrive!

  — Ellen Ormesher, Investigative Reporter, DeSmog

  Locally owned journalism is key to creating communities that are cohesive and collaborative- an antidote to misinformation and division spread by many mainstream outlets. The Scottish Government should invest in this as a practical, sustainable measure to support informed, democratic communities.

  – Jill Keegan, Scottish Community Alliance

  Local news is critical to the wellbeing, participation and sustainability of our rural and island communities.

  – Artemis Pana, Scottish Rural Action

  Local news needs urgent support in every corner of the UK – we are categorically stronger together and on a united front.

  — Jacob Granger, Community Editor, JournalismUK

  Community Radio can play a vital role independent news and journalism and we all need to be supported to provide such a vital service to communities across the country.

  — Alex Airnes, UK Community Radio Network

  A dedicated fund for Scottish local media is right and fair. It’s a chance to show that devolution should bring positive change.

  — Marcela Kunova, Managing Director, JournalismUK

  Only an informed public can make sound democratic choices. A free, independent and active local press is democracy’s first line of defence: it scrutinises power, tests official claims and gives citizens the facts they need to vote wisely. Scotland must invest in the journalism that keeps its communities informed and its institutions accountable.

  — LM Bruce, Editor, Modern Scot

  Local news reported by local news outlets are an essential part of community life.

  — Rosemary Macklin

  The need for truth and investigative journalism and granular local detail has never been greater. If we are to hold on to democracy and a sense of Belonging to something we call country then we must feel that truth intrinsically in the local because it connects us to the universal. In a world where truth, human and democracy are being challenged how else might we tell our stories and know our journey.

  — Simon Sharkey, Director/CEO, The Necessary Space

  I believe in local democracy, but that only works if there is robust local journalism.

  — Christine Murdoch, Local resident and reader of local news

  Totally agree with the sentiments of this letter. Knowledge is power and local knowledge empowers communities which is critical for a healthy, motivated, productive and compassionate civic society.

  — Richard Soutar

  The Orcadian has been informing, engaging and delivering trusted local journalism for 172 years. As Orkney’s sole newspaper, with an established online and social media presence, we play a pivotal role in our island community. We hold authorities to account, provide a voice for our community and celebrate the achievements and successes of our community. However, there are significant challenges facing our industry. Misinformation, social media algorithms, the consumption of news digitally and falling traditional print advertising revenue means that our business model must evolve to sustain us for the future and to continue to serve the Orkney public. As a result, The Orcadian has significant and extensive innovative plans to grow digital subscriptions, engage with a younger demographic and maintain our valued print product. This represents the most significant innovation that this company has undertaken in the age of the internet, and will dramatically change our business model. The Local News Fund was a source of funding we had identified which would play a crucial role and assist us in our ambition to sustain trusted independent local journalism in Orkney for years to come. We were therefore dismayed and aghast that we, as a Scottish publisher, would not be eligible for this fund. We fully support the establishment of a Scottish fund, alongside the investment of public advertising in local news and breeding a new generation of local journalists.

  — Mark Harcus, Editor, The Orcadian

  We are very disappointed to be excluded from the Local News Fund, and believe staunchly that Scottish journalism should receive a similar level of support. As a local business at the centre of our community, preservation and modernisation of the services we offer are essential to ensure survival. We would welcome any initiative that helps us to bring our journalism (and historical records of such) to wider audiences, in an ever-changing and constantly evolving industry.

  — Leah Seator, Managing Director, Orkney Media Group

  Local news reporting definitely keeps our local community in Stonehaven continue to work together as a wonderful community and fantastic place to live.

  — Julie Lomax

  Trusted local journalism is essential to ensuring that communities can share their own stories, amplify lived experience and hold decision-makers to account. As local news provision continues to decline, including the loss of local television news capacity in the North East, Scotland needs a sustainable approach to supporting community radio, local television and independent community publishing, while creating opportunities for the next generation of local journalists. Investing in local news is an investment in stronger, more connected communities and a healthier democracy.

  — Murray Dawson, Chief Executive, Station House Media Unit

  There does need to be more promotion of, and funding for, local news which is a Public Service. It does indeed encourage democratic accountability. Regional TV is a case in point, after STV axed its Northern Scotland regional news service, with OFCOM’s blessing. Scotland is now the worst-served country for Local and Regional TV in Northern Europe – just 200 miles to the north-east of Shetland is Norway with ten state-funded Regional TV services – plus several privately-funded local TV services. This serves a country with just over 5.6 million folk. Scotland’s population is similar, and what does Scotland have? BBC Reporting Scotland, BBC Alba and STV’s News at Six (with a few cosmetic regional opt-outs). And a couple of You Tube Channels for the Hebrides and Orkney’s respectively. This is terrible for local democracy and for communities to find out what is happening in their area and surrounding areas. I live just outside of Scotland, in rural North Cumbria, close to the border with Northumberland where similar issues around Regional TV cut-backs have resulted in poor local representation and coverage. The local TV service ITV Border Lookaround has been threatened with amalgamation in the past, and rural Northumberland is served by ITV News Tyne Tees and BBC Look North which does not provide local coverage. Folk in Northern Scotland will have their own feelings about losing their own Regional TV from STV- and the fact that it is now going to be mainly Scotland-wide. However, I know that North Northumbrians suffer the lack of local representation and here, in North Cumbria when the BBC and ITV have tried to remove/ change our local TV it has caused much consternation. Local TV and local media cannot be left solely to the Markets, directors cut costs and make decisions to protect their bottom lines so large rural areas with fewer people get little local news (or no local news-services). If local news for rural and Northern Scotland is to be protected there has to be some form of government funding (perhaps via an arms-length body to protect it from being pressurised by the governing party of the day to report favourably on the government).

  — Ian Pennell, Campaigner for Better Regional TV in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, Look North Must Look North