Support for local papers

Local Liberal Democrats have called for the Scottish Government to take action to support regional newspapers during the coronavirus crisis.

Rutherglen South councillor Robert Brown says the government could help local papers by launching a significant new coronavirus public information campaign through them.

Mr Brown, the leader of the Lib Dems at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “Newspapers such as the Reformer are among the most trusted sources of news for local people and also make a major contribution in raising our spirits by reporting good news stories, community activity and individual good deeds.

“There is still a lot of fake news put out on social media and it seems to me there is a massive opportunity for the Scottish Government to reach hundreds of thousands of people with accurate messages about the coronavirus crisis, the services that support communities and how to stay safe.

“Local newspapers have faced plunging advertising revenue and reduced sales as a result of the public health emergency.

“We need papers like the Reformer to still be there doing good work after the crisis.

“It would be easy to extend the 100 per cent business rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses to local media. Support too for putting some of their product online could be part of a Government advertising campaign.

“My colleague, Willie Rennie MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, has already called on Scottish Government to take action and I back his call wholeheartedly.”