THE future of the Scottish newspaper industry is to be discussed tomorrow by some of the country’s leading newspaper editors, controllers, trade unionists and academics.
Convened by Scottish Government minister, Jim Mather, it is taking place at Glasgow Caledonian University.
It follows disquiet expressed during a debate in the Scottish Parliament about staff re-organisation plans at the Herald group of newspapers. The debate was sparked by a Herald group announcement that all but a handful of its 250 staff had to re-apply for around 40 fewer jobs.
During the debate, Mather – Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism – ruled out government intervention, saying the Herald group’s action was not illegal. But he promised a summit meeting.
Says Julian Calvert, lecturer in journalism at Glasgow Caledonian University: “This is a critical moment for the newspaper industry in Scotland, and Glasgow Caledonian is hosting the summit as part of our commitment to quality journalism and a thriving news sector.
“The industry has clearly reached a tipping point but there is an opportunity for the summit to hammer out the creative solutions that will help preserve and develop not just the present and future of the news industry in Scotland, but the impact this industry has on the wider social and political good.”
