THE media isn't in great shape.
Trust in journalists is low. Disinformation thrives on social media platforms. Reporters face major challenges in getting transparency from governments as officials misuse freedom of information rules. The rich and powerful use their wealth and status to block the publication of important stories.
In the past year we've even seen journalists arrested here in the UK. One of The National's own senior reporters was threatened with arrest while covering an arms factory protest.
We've faced a lot of hurdles from day one. We're Scotland's first and only pro-independence daily newspaper – so you'd expect that. But over the past 18 or so months, as we've used our platform to bring people informed reporting on Israel's genocide in Gaza and the UK Government's complicity in it, we've encountered all kinds of new problems.
Pro-Israel groups claiming to be well-intended campaign organisations complain about our work to Ipso, creating piles of paper work for our team and using up our time. Our journalists face relentless online abuse. Other members of the media have attempted to alienate us in our own industry.
But in the face of all this, we won't be silenced.
Our team is passionate about holding those in power to account, and being part of a better future not just for Scotland – but for everyone.
Our subscribers are a crucial part of helping us to do this. They support our work and allow our journalists to bring investigations to light, often ones which other media outlets would prefer not to touch.
They're also part of a bigger community, working with us to shape our editorial output and sharing their feedback.
We are so proud of how The National has grown since its inception in 2014 and we see a bright future for our award-winning team.
Times are tough for everyone and the cost of living is no joke. But if you have £20 to spare, a subscription to The National provides more than just interesting news coverage – it helps us to show a better future, and a better media, is possible.
Times may be bleak and scary right now, but we refuse to accept that they have to be.
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