Controversial Children Bill reporting ban proposal to be withdrawn
The Scottish Government has decided to withdraw controversial sections of the Children (Care and Justice) Bill which sought to prohibit the identification of anyone under 18 involved in crimes or court cases.
Sections 12 and 13 of the bill would make identification of under-18 witnesses, victims or perpetrators a criminal offence, punishable by up to two years imprisonment, and both Newsbrands Scotland and the Scottish Media Lawyers Society had pointed out both how difficult this could make reporting incidents like the Dunblane Primary school shootings, but also that there had been no consultation with media organisations most directly affected by the proposed new law.
The legislation cleared Stage Two after consideration by MSPs at the Education Committee, and is set to go through the final stage before becoming an act in the next few weeks. But just before Easter the Minister for Children and Young People, Natalie Don (above), wrote to the Scottish Parliament’s education committee to confirm the withdrawal or the two problem sections.
“It is clear from the correspondence I have received and conversations I have had that the full implications of these matters were not fully appreciated by stakeholders and Members at that stage,” wrote Ms Don.
“I have always been clear that we want this legislation to be fully considered and informed by a broad range of views from those whom the provisions effect. In addition, the Scottish Government fully recognises the key role that an open media plays in a functioning democracy.”
Ms Don will table amendments withdrawing the sections when the bill is presented at Stage Three, and the provisions will form part of a wider consultation on anonymity for deceased children.
Newsbrands Scotland director John McLellan said, “The absence of any approach to media organisations during the consultation on this legislation was a matter of great surprise and concern to us, but we are obviously relieved the minster has recognised both our concerns about the impact of the proposed law on reporters and reporting, but also the flaws in the consultation process.
“However, we recognise that the proposals have only been withdrawn for now, and we have grave concerns about the possibility of introducing anonymity for deceased children which has already proved unworkable in Ireland and Australia. It potentially criminalises not just reporters but grieving relatives as well and has serious implications for Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.”
Ms Don’s letter to Education Committee Convener Sue Webber MSP can be read here.
Scotsman columnists caught up in Hate Crime Row
A Scotsman column by former Edinburgh councillor and Scottish Government special adviser Susan Dalgety has been at the centre of a row over the new Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which went live on April 1.
The article last November explained how a mother was referred to social work by an NHS therapist because her teenage daughter believed she was trans and non-binary, but she refused to accept her daughter was now a boy.
After the column was shared by fellow columnist Murdo Fraser on social media, with a message that “Choosing to identify as ‘non-binary’ is as valid as choosing to identify as a cat,” complaints were reported to the police under existing hate crime legislation.
Tt transpired that although police decided no crime was committed, the complainant was able to refer the message to the Ethical Standards Commissioner because it had been recorded as a non-crime hate incident.
Newsbrands Scotland director John McLellan commented: “The legislation contains safeguards for freedom of expression, but it is extraordinary and unacceptable for sharing legitimate opinions about government policy, not aimed at any individual, to be recorded by the police as an “incident” of any sort.
“Publicity surrounding the new legislation has heightened awareness, which was presumably the point, but that complaints can involve columnists and politicians sharing thoughts and ideas shows that fears about a chilling effect on freedom of expression were not unfounded.
“Clarity about the how the police intend to use their powers is urgently needed, not least to help officers who have to deal with the complaints.”
Digital Markets Bill one stage away from Royal Assent
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill has reached the final stage in Westminster, consideration of Lords’ amendments, before proceeding to Royal Assent.
The legislation will empower the Digital Markets Unit, part of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), to intervene when companies are designated as having ‘Strategic Market Status’ (SMS) because of the significant control over digital markets they can exert.
It means that companies with a dominant market position, like Google in the search market, could be compelled to offer third parties such as news publishers fair payment terms for their hosted by SMS firms.
The bill should become law before the next General Election, but any benefits arising from DMU intervention and any subsequent CMA board decisions are not expected before early 2026.
A summary of the bill’s provisions is available here.
Newsbrands Scotland director John McLellan sad, “This is one of the most important pieces of legislation for our sector, which will help establish a long overdue level playing field for news publishers to be paid a fair price for their content when it is used on major digital platforms like Google and Facebook.
“But rather than be compelled by law, it would be preferrable if the tech giants recognised it is in their interests to maintain healthy commercial relationships with news publishers which preserves and promotes ready access to trustworthy and reliable sources of news and information.”
SLAPP petitioners to be heard at the Scottish Parliament
Campaigners for reform of the law relating to Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) will get their chance to make their case to the Scottish Parliament next Wednesday (April 17).
Led by former SNP MP Roger Mullin (above), campaigners will speak to members of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee to press for more legal protection against the abuse of privacy, defamation, or other laws by powerful individuals or organisations with the intention of stifling debate or publicity.
An update on the campaign is available here.
And details of the Parliamentary committee session are here.
Times event hears of Scottish challenge to life science ‘Golden Triangle’
The Times and Sunday Times Scotland continue to develop their events portfolio with entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders hosted at the sold-out 2024 Life Sciences Summit in Aberdeen.
Held at the University of Aberdeen, delegates heard that Scotland is the ideal size to implement innovations in healthcare, and has advantages over Oxford, Cambridge, and London, commonly seen as the triangle of the UK’s life sciences sector.
The Times and The Sunday Times Scotland editor Magnus Llewellin opened the event, which was hosted by Times Radio and Broadcaster James Hanson. Times Science editor Tom Whipple and Times columnist Gillian Bowditch joined expert panels to explore the potential of this dynamic, innovative and fast-growing sector.
The sessions explored cutting-edge approaches to drug discovery, the pivotal role of artificial intelligence, how to improve lives while delivering robust economic growth, and how ideas can be transformed into commercial realities.
Delegates heard praise for Scotland’s life sciences “ecosystem” and the support it offers entrepreneurs, its mentoring capabilities, and its nurturing approach toward innovation.
Richard Bogie, MD of News Scotland and Ireland, said: “Working with partners and clients to stage high quality events that bring top class commentators and contributors together to discuss vital topics is a key part of The Times and Sunday Times mission in Scotland and we look forward to staging many more in the future.”
Cutting flights would risk “economic shock” hears Times event
Any move to reduce flight connections to Scotland to help meet net-zero targets will produce a “pronounced negative shock” to the economy.
This was the warning from Professor Duncan MacLennan whose new “Future flying: Up in the Air?” report was discussed at a Times event in the Port of Leith Distillery in Edinburgh on March 21.
Almost 50 delegates from travel and tourism, business, government and academia were at the event – held with Edinburgh Airport and Charlotte Street Partners – to debate the strategy for decarbonising aviation.
“Restricting Edinburgh’s connectivity to the nation and wider world will, that will have to primarily rely on aviation, would immediately reduce and then substantially erode and diminish employment, productivity and fiscal capacity for the city and Scotland,” Prof MacLennan said.
The event was hosted by Rosie Wright of Times Radio and opened by Magnus Llewellin, Scotland editor of The Times and Sunday Times.
You can read more about Prof MacLennan’s study here.
Herald series exposes Art School failures
The Herald’s in-depth series on the destruction of the Mackintosh Building at Glasgow School of Art has exposed a litany of failures in the attempts to restore the historic landmark to its former glory after the first devastating fire a decade ago.
Led by deputy head of content Deborah Anderson and months in preparation, the series put what is recognised as a cultural and architectural scandal under the microscope and was raised in the Scottish Parliament.
“I have been blown away by the response we have had to our work which, ten years on from the first fire at the world-famous Mack building, has investigated all areas of what happened – and where things go from here as the landmark remains in ruins.,” said editor Catherine Salmond.
You can read the series here.
Oor Wullie swaps hi-jinx for hope
For generations, Sunday Post favourite Oor Wullie has entertained Auchenshoogle with his antics but for three weeks, starting on March 17, he went out his way to help others.
Wullie joined the ‘Big Braw Community’, The Sunday Post’s inspiring campaign to tackle loneliness. In a three-part strip, Wullie finds out that there’s more to his widowed neighbour than he first thought and finds unexpected joy in helping others.
Said Sunday Post editor David Lord, “It is hoped that the surprising behaviour from the notorious mischief-maker will encourage Scotland to get behind the campaign.”
Read all about it here.
National boost for Palestine aid
The National has raised £110,000 for Medical Aid for Palestinians in a major fundraising drive supported by all main Scottish party leaders and celebrities like Alan Cumming and Val McDermid. The campaign helped drive up digital traffic to surpass previous levels for the month.