A Monklands election candidate has criticised the Scottish Government for “failing to show support for local newspapers” by refusing to extend the industry’s business rates relief.
Dr Gordon Macdonald says the decision is “a real slap in the face for local newspapers and journalists working here in Coatbridge & Chryston” – where he will be standing for the Conservatives at the Holyrood poll in May.
He was speaking after his party, led by Central Scotland member Graham Simpson, secured combined support at the Scottish Parliament for a motion calling on the SNP government to continue rates relief, currently due to end next month, for the next year.
It was supported by all the opposition groups, who combined to defeat the government by one vote to call for the relief to continue during 2021-2022 and for government advertising spend to be “invested in a way that supports innovative journalism and regional and local news”.
Dr Macdonald said: “As we continue to fight the pandemic, people are turning to local newspapers for vital information and extending rates relief would be a major boost to them at the time they need it most.
“The SNP are failing to stand up for much-loved local publications and appear happy to risk vital jobs and livelihoods in Scottish journalism; they need to put aside their opposition to media scrutiny and give this lifeline extension.
“Alongside my Scottish Conservative colleagues, I will be continuing to push [finance secretary] Kate Forbes to make an urgent U-turn on this illogical move.”
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Former journalist Mr Simpson told fellow MSPs that a vibrant newspaper sector was “essential for local democracy” and said: “The commitment to continue to invest in Scottish news publishers has not been renewed; by contrast, the UK Government’s initial package of £35 million has been extended twice to a total of £77m.”
Trade minister Ivan McKee said newspapers had been supported in other ways including through the spending of £3m on public health publicity last year, which he said had a particular focus on the local press.
He said: “We see advertising support as being the most effective way to direct resources into the sector – it enables support to be targeted more effectively at where it is needed most.
“The Scottish Government did not support the introduction of non-domestic rates relief for the newspaper industry, as we believe that such relief is a blunt tool that does not provide targeted support, and that it might provide the biggest benefit to those that need it least.”
Mr McKee added: “An independent media is central to a strong democracy.
“Local newspapers, in particular, are important – they report news that might affect us more directly than national events, champion issues and causes including local democracy [and] are especially valuable just now in informing communities about local restrictions.”
