Scotland’s political leaders have praised The Press and Journal for championing local journalism and holding government to account.
In a series of exclusive opinion pieces, Kezia Dugdale, Ruth Davidson, Willie Rennie, Patrick Harvie, and SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson praised a number of causes taken up by the newspaper such as the Keep Highlands and Islands Enterprise Local campaign.
Here is what they had to say…
Kezia Dugdale
“Without the P&J and newspapers like it, there would be no scrutiny of local decision making. There would be no voice for people with concerns about their area. Local people would not be kept informed.
“Amid the rising swell of fake news and social media propagandists, often peddling myths about political reality, the work of professional, trustworthy journalists is essential.”
Ruth Davidson
“Newspapers like the P&J are extremely important for political parties in helping to get our message across, but also, crucially, holding us to account.
“These titles have great teams at the heart of their local communities.”
Angus Robertson
“In a country as diverse as Scotland, we need journalists who can report on and reflect all of our varied communities and the issues that matter to you.
“For generations, the Press & Journal has been trusted to give the news that matters in the North East and the Highlands – and today the paper has a circulation that some national newspapers must look at with envy.”
Willie Rennie
“When Highlands and Islands Enterprise came under threat of losing its dedicated board of governance, the Press & Journal leapt into action, joining the Liberal Democrats and local campaigners in coming to the defence of an institution that has served the region well for over 50 years.
“Similarly, campaigns for a fair deal on energy and the Fight for Fort George show that no one knows their local region better than the local paper.”
Patrick Harvie
“The P&J’s recent campaign to “Keep Highlands and Islands Enterprise Local” was an excellent example of how local journalism can bring together communities and their elected representatives to push an essentially local issue up the national agenda.
“Local journalism also plays an important role in highlighting issues of national significance which have a local dimension, and it’s heartening that the P&J continues to have correspondents looking for North-east and Highlands and Islands implications from events at Holyrood and Westminster.”