THE former editor of the now defunct News of the World newspaper, Andy Coulson, has this morning been cleared of perjury at the High Court in Edinburgh.
He had been accused of lying under oath during a trial, five years ago, of former MSP, Tommy Sheridan.
Read more, here (BBC). And here (The Guardian). And here (The Scotsman).
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AND begins the BBC: “Prosecutors have dropped charges against two former executives of the News of the World newspaper, the Crown Office has confirmed.
“[Former editor] Bob Bird was charged with perverting the course of justice and [former news editor] Douglas Wight with phone hacking and perjury.”
Read more, here.
The story is widely reported, including on page three of The Herald, here; by The Scotsman, here, and by The Guardian, here.
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SCOTS journalists, Michael Grant (The Times, Scotland edition) and Alan Pattullo (The Scotsman) are among the eight contenders vying for the Football Book of the Year title at the British Sports Book of the Year Awards.
Grant’s ‘Fergie Rises‘ looks at former Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson’s previous tenure, as boss at Aberdeen FC. Meanwhile, Pattullo’s entry chronicles a fascination with the enigmatic former Dundee United, Rangers, Everton and Scotland striker, Duncan Ferguson.
The awards are taking place this evening, in London.
The duo are joined by a third Scots journalist, cycling journalist, Richard Moore, in the running for the Cycling Book of the Year title, with Etape.
Read more, here.
Among the other nominations is Edinburgh-based golf course architect, Scott Macpherson. His book, Golf’s Royal Clubs, is named among the contenders in the Illustrated Book category.
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BEGINS The Guardian: “The average amount of time spent reading newspapers fell more than 25 per cent globally from 2010 to 2014 – but the popularity of newsprint has proved resilient in the UK with just a three press cent decline over the same period.
“The amount of time spent reading newspapers across the world averaged 16.3 minutes per reader a day last year, down 25.6 per cent from the 21.9 minutes daily average in 2010.
“By 2017, the global average will be just 14.1 minutes a day, a 35 per cent fall from 2010 levels, according to a new report by on media consumption by ZenithOptimedia.”
Read more, here.
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THE internet is not isn’t growing as much as other forms of broadcasting radio… that’s the conclusion of radio sector analyst, James Cridland, who writes – here – of four significant trends he has identified within the sector.
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SAYS STV, in an announcement, here: “City TV channel, STV Glasgow, celebrates its first year of broadcasting across the city and the surrounding area, reaching 1.6 million viewers since launch (78 per cent of transmission area).”
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THE publisher of The Scotsman and several other Scots newspapers – Johnston Press – has reportedly set aside £500,000, for editorial salary increases.
Reports pressgazette.co.uk: “Johnston Press staff have been told that £500,000 has been set aside to increase the salaries of around 300 journalists who have taken on ‘significant extra responsibility’ in newly-created roles.”
Read more, here.
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THE Daily Record columnist – SNP MSP, Joan McAlpine – follows up on quotes attributed to well-known Scots actor, Peter Mullan – that the BBC displayed “horrendous bias” during the run-up to the referendum last year on Scots independence.
Read more, here.
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AN obituary is published in today’s Scotsman, penned by Bill Heaney, about Father Noel Barry.
Writes Heaney: “Father Noel Barry, who has died of cancer aged 59, was press secretary to the late Cardinal Thomas J Winning in the Archdiocese of Glasgow during a turbulent time for Catholic Church in Scotland.
“He was also a director and managing editor of Flourish, the official archdiocesan journal, whose columnists included Alex Salmond and George Galloway.”
Read more, here.
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