Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron urges Scottish Government to support local media
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A REGIONAL politician is urging the Scottish Government to help local newspapers, radio and online news providers soon.
Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron has written to fellow north MSP and finance secretary Kate Forbes suggesting measures that could be taken.
He has proposed a 100 per cent rates holiday for media outlets with a premises.
Mr Cameron also wants Holyrood to redirect some of its advertising revenue twowards local media where possible.
“The news media across the Highlands and Islands is providing an essential public service by keeping the public informed about the local impact of the pandemic," he said.
“They are doing a fantastic job but it costs money to source and publish this information at a time when their advertising revenues are being slashed as a result of the emergency.
“I have suggested a number of measures that could be introduced but it is imperative that ministers act quickly or I fear we risk losing an invaluable part of our region’s infrastructure.”
