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.
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
