Newsbrands Scotland summer newsletter
News about Scottish news publishing
Scottish editors challenge media ‘pen’ for Scottish Parliament reporters
Scottish editors are encouraging journalists in the Scottish Parliament to ignore a new restriction which forces them to operate behind a “pen” which enables politicians to avoid questions when they leave the debating chamber after First Minister’s Questions.
The seemingly arbitrary decision was made last week, apparently by new Presiding Officer Kenny Gibson without a meeting of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, prompting the Scottish Parliamentary Journalists Association (SPJA) to lodge an immediate complaint.
The Bureau claimed the restriction was introduced “following feedback from a range of building users and discussions with all parties”, but not with the journalists affected.
“Since devolution, Holyrood has rightly taken pride in being a more open, accessible and transparent institution than Westminster,” said the SPJA letter to Presiding Officer Kenny Gibson MSP and the Scottish Parliament’s chief executive David McGill. “The ability of journalists to approach ministers, opposition leaders and backbench MSPs in the public areas of Parliament following debates and major announcements has been a central feature of that culture.”
The letter added: “The imposition of a designated area from which journalists must operate … creates a physical and symbolic barrier between elected representatives and those tasked with holding them to account.”
Scottish Labour, Scottish Conservatives and the Lib Dems have all expressed opposition to the move.
In a letter on behalf of Newsbrands Scotland’s editors’ committee to Mr Gibson and Mr McGill, director John McLellan said: “We are unaware of any complaint about the way parliamentary journalists operate and it has been claimed that all political parties were consulted on the proposal, when it is very clear from public statements that support is far from unanimous.
“It is very disappointing that it has to be explained to politicians that the ability for journalists to question them about debates which have just taken place is an essential part of public scrutiny. It should also be obvious that it is not just reporters that politicians are being allowed to dodge, but the readers and viewers they represent.
“But it is staggering that a supposedly democratic institution should introduce a control without any consultation with those affected. Consultation is built into every level of public decision-making except, it would seem, the Scottish Parliament.”
“In the absence of its abandonment we will be instructing our journalists to ignore the restriction and operate as before.”
Mr Gibson has since written to the SPJA to say the move is temporary, but Newsbrands Scotland has yet to receive a response.
Scottish agencies join Newsbrands Scotland for futures discussion
Advertising agencies joined with senior Scottish journalists and news publishers for an evening of discussions about future opportunities, the value of trusted brands for advertisers and the unfolding political landscape.
Generously hosted by the Royal Bank of Scotland at their headquarters on St Andrew Square in Edinburgh, the audience heard from Newsworks’ chief executive Jo Allen and Client Services & Strategy Director Niki West about the latest brands research and how advertising in trusted brands could improve return on investment.
A panel discussion led by Newsquest Scotland managing director David Ward with Daily Record and Reach Scotland editor-in-chief Neil McIntosh and The Times Scotland’s audience editor Carla Jenkins explored the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence systems.
Closing the evening was a panel of Courier editor David Clegg, Herald political correspondent Hannah Brown and Scotsman political correspondent Rachel Amery, quizzed by RBS public affairs director and ex-STV political editor Michael Crow. Themes included whether John Swinney would see out a full term as First Minister and if Prime Minster Sir Keir Starmer could survive. The answer to both was unlikely, and it didn’t take long for the latter to be proved accurate.
Newbrands Scotland director John McLellan said: “I thought it was a very valuable evening, with journalists and advertising executives able to exchange views and experiences, and the discussions and presentations were all stimulating.
“It’s an event we would very much like to repeat next year, and we are extremely grateful to RBS for hosting the event in spectacular surroundings, and for their generous hospitality.”
DC Thomson titles unite behind campaign to revive high streets
The Sunday Post, The Courier and The Press and Journal have launched Fresh Start, a joint editorial campaign urging reform to business rates relief, to bring empty commercial properties back into use and support Scotland’s local economies.
In a rare, co-ordinated initiative spanning three established Scottish news brands, Fresh Start will put the future of high streets, town centres and local economies at the centre of public debate.
Launching with joint front pages and editorial coverage, the campaign is calling for a change to existing business rates relief rules so that all vacant commercial properties become eligible for a 12-month exemption immediately, rather than only after six months standing empty.
The campaign argues that accelerating support for empty units could help encourage occupancy, support small businesses, increase footfall and strengthen communities across Scotland.
Fresh Start will combine reporting, data, reader experiences, expert views and political scrutiny to explore the challenges facing local economies, whilst identifying practical solutions.
Courier editor David Clegg said: “Every empty unit on a high street tells its own story, but taken together, they speak to a much bigger challenge facing towns and cities across Scotland.
“Fresh Start is rooted in a simple belief: local economies need practical help, not just warm words. By giving vacant premises immediate rates relief, we can make it easier for new businesses to take a chance, bring life back into empty spaces and give our high streets a better shot at the future.”
Sunday Post editor Thomas Hawkins said: “The rise of online shopping, the devastation of COVID and the introduction of traffic restricting measures means too many cities, towns and villages across Scotland have been hollowed out.
“Where once we had independent businesses selling fresh produce, we now have bookmakers, second-hand goods stores and vape shops. This is not - and should not be - the vision we have for our society.”
P&J editor Craig Walker added: “We’re never going to get back the days of chain store after chain store filling those units, but there is still huge potential to make the high streets somewhere people want to go to spend money, support business and help bring back to life.
“Fresh Start is calling for change to the existing rates relief rules, but it will also highlight what is already great about our town and city centres. We’ll showcase those thriving despite the extreme challenges, but there will also be some tough tales of businesses struggling to survive.
Read more here.
Dundee’s Jute Journal triumphs at Herald student journalism awards
Student journalists from across Scotland were recognised for their hard work and talent at The Herald Student Press Awards, in association with Weber Shandwick.
The brightest prospects from media and journalism courses and student newspapers packed into the Herald’s Bath Street newsroom to receive their awards at a drinks reception by Herald editor Catherine Salmond.
“I am delighted to support The Herald’s Student Press Awards, which celebrate the energy, curiosity and determination of emerging journalists,” said Catherine.
“At a time when trusted, public-interest journalism has never been more important, these awards recognise the next generation who are already making a meaningful impact - asking difficult questions, telling important stories and ensuring voices are heard when it matters most.”
Co-sponsored by PR firm Weber Shandwick, there was an impressive treble for the University of Dundee, with its Jute Journal picking up the Student newsbrand of the Year award and the award for best design, and the title’s Eva Milne named as Student Journalist of the Year.
The full results are available here.
Have they got news for you: Record’s Manuel spoof makes national TV
The Daily Record’s front page featuring ex-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as hapless Fawlty Towers’ waiter Manuel starred in a recent episode of the BBC’s Have I got News For You satirical quiz show.
The front page highlighted Ms Sturgeon’s denial that she knew anything about her estranged husband Peter Murrell’s crimes after he pleaded guilty to embezzling some £400,000 from the SNP.
Said editor Neil McIntosh: “We had a debate in the newsroom about how many of our readers would remember Manuel and the episode in which Basil Fawlty persuades him to keep a secret, but for an older print audience I think it works and it seemed to go down well.
“And the caption did advise confused youngsters to ask their parents!”
Newsbrands Scotland editor John McLellan said: “It certainly puts a marker down for next year’s Front Page of the Year award.”
Newsbrands Scotland director leads forum on freedom of Information
Newsbrands Scotland director John McLellan recently chaired a session of the Scottish Public Information Forum at the Scottish Parliament, to discuss how the returning Freedom of Information Reform Bill can become law.
Addressed by Katy Clark MSP, who has taken the legislation through as a private member’s bill, the meeting also heard from Carole Ewart of the Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland, and the Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton.
Said John McLellan,” I was delighted to be asked to chair the session and it is clear that public opinion is behind the strengthening of FoI legislation and the reforms the bill contains are long overdue, given it is a quarter of a century since its introduction.”
Herald celebrates audience boom
Glasgow-based Herald has enjoyed a massive leap in its online audience in the past year, rising an impressive 92.8 per cent in unique users to just short of three million.
With 2,932,428 unique users, it’s month-on-month growth was 21.5 per cent, perhaps boosted by the Scottish Parliament elections and the World Cup build up.
According to Press Gazette, it has also experienced one of the biggest increases in total minutes spent on its content, up 22 per cent month-on-month, to three million minutes.
