Joan McAlpine was one of 38 cross-party MSPs endorsing a motion on ‘The Importance of Local Newspapers’ at Holyrood last Thursday.
The South of Scotland SNP MSP highlighted the company’s Dumfries and Galloway titles — the Annandale Observer, Dumfries Courier, Annandale Herald and Moffat News — describing them as ‘the bedrock of our communities.’
Ms McAlpine said: “It is very important that it is an independent newspaper group.
“That independence means that it focuses only on local news and gives it a priority that perhaps papers that are owned by larger groups do not.”
The debate took place after a motion tabled by Angus South SNP MSP Graeme Dey received cross party support.
It was triggered by concerns about the print media industry in general and reports of the possible future disposal of a number of newspapers, owned by a national plc, Johnston Press.
Ms McAlpine, a well-known journalist, columnist and former national newspaper editor, stated DnG Media adhered to the principles of journalism she was taught in local newspapers at the start of her career.
She told fellow Parliamentarians: “A local newspaper should appeal to the whole community, whatever people’s political views. It has to achieve balance as much as possible and not put a slant on the stories.?
“Because DnG Media is independent and really values local news, it is looking at innovative ways to develop. It has launched its own website —dng24.co.uk — and an app, which is very encouraging.”
The MSP added: “Local newspapers act as barometers of opinion. Many of the stories that impact widely and are discussed in the chamber begin life in local newspapers, which act as a forum as well as a mirror for the communities that they serve.”
NEWSDESK: 01461-202417
