A NEW body representing both national and local newspapers in Scotland is to be formed following a merger of the two organisations representing its two constituent parts.
The Scottish Newspaper Society is to be the single body created following a marriage of the Scottish Daily Newspaper Society (SDNS) and the Scottish Newspaper Publishers Association (SNPA). The new organisation will meet next month to formally approve its constitution, elect a president and vice-president, appoint a director and agree a programme of work.
The SDNS, established in 1915, is the representative body for the publishers and editors of Scottish daily and Sunday newspapers including certain UK newspapers with major Scottish editions. It organises the annual Scottish Press Awards.
The SNPA, meanwhile, is believed to have been formed at a slightly later date to represent local newspaper interests.
Said Tim Blott, president of the SDNS and managing director of The Herald & Times Group: “The two organisations have been working together successfully for some time now on issues of common interest and from that there has been a recognition that a united body could best represent the interests of the Scottish newspaper industry as a whole, particularly at Holyrood and Westminster.”
Adds Michael Johnston, president of SNPA and divisional managing director of Johnston Press Scotland: “With a foot in both camps as publishers of more that 50 daily and local weekly titles, including The Scotsman and the Falkirk Herald, we see this as the logical way forward.
“The proposed Scottish Newspaper Society will be the voice of an united industry presenting its case on key issues such as Scottish Government plans to remove the legal obligation requiring public notices to be advertised in newspapers.”
