LOCAL NEWSPAPERS REQUIRE COMMITMENT FROM GOVERNMENT

12.00.00am GMT Tue 29th Dec 2009

Local newspapers could be denied a valuable chunk of income if a plan by the SNP to publish public notices online goes ahead.

Responding to the announcement, North East Scotland MSP, Alison McInnes said:

"In the past the SNP have pledged support to local newspapers. This announcement is a very worrying about turn by the Government which will see a chunk of income withdrawn from local newspapers.

"Local papers are at the heart of communities and are vital for communicating with the public, especially in many of our rural areas. If a notice is published online it is very unlikely that people will stumble upon it, therefore defeating the purpose of a "public notice".

"The SNP Government should be committed to our local newspapers to ensure they continue their important role."