GOOD year, bad year? As 2013 draws to a close, we ask John McLellan, former editor-in-chief at The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday and now director of the Scottish Newspaper Society: ‘How has it been for you?’.
Briefly, what is it that you do?
Director of the Scottish Newspaper Society, among other things.
Choose three words that sum up 2013 (so far), from a professional point of view.
Politicians, politicians everywhere.
In 2012, what was your biggest professional ambition for 2013, and to what extent did you achieve it?
To do my best for [Scottish Conservatives leader] Ruth Davidson, as director of communications. But, seeing as I left to take over the Scottish Newspaper Society, I can’t say that was achieved. With or without my help, she has risen to many challenges and I’m proud to have worked for her.
How has 2013 (so far) been for you, personally?
I’m very happy to be back in the newspaper world at such a crucial time for the industry.
Any changes this year in technology, legislation, the economy, etc that have had a relatively significant impact on the business?
Where do I start…? The biggest threat to Press freedom in 300 years.
What looking forward to, in 2014 – personally and professionally?
To see the new system of Press self-regulation getting up and running and warding off the danger of political interference.
