Funding for Public-Interest Journalism: A Question for the Scottish Government
Scotland is taking significant strides in supporting public interest journalism, recognising its crucial role in democracy and civic engagement. The Scottish Public Interest Journalism Institute (SPiJI) is a proposed dedicated body aimed at ensuring citizens across Scotland receive reliable, civic-minded reporting.
The push for SPiJI, recommended by a government report, has gained attention in political discussions and media circles recently. The Scottish Government is exploring various mechanisms to create a sustainable ecosystem for journalism, free from traditional commercial pressures.
These efforts include community ownership of news outlets, strategic investment of public sector advertising, and tax incentives for businesses advertising with public interest news providers. This holistic approach aims to preserve historic and local newspapers like the Shetland Times, preventing closures in vulnerable media markets that reinforce local democratic accountability.
Organizations like the Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland (CFoIS) are advocating for reforms to improve legal transparency frameworks, indirectly supporting public interest journalism by facilitating access to information.
Compared to Wales and other countries, Scotland's approach is distinctive for its comprehensive government engagement, from direct institutional funding to legislative reforms and strategic market interventions. This robust attempt to integrate public interest journalism into the broader democratic infrastructure aims to enhance informed citizenship, diversity and inclusion, transparency and accountability, and the sustainability of local media.
However, Scotland's media sector has been significantly weakened by globalisation and centralisation. Public trust in the media is eroding, and private equity and hedge funds are contributing to the asset stripping and depredation of the newspaper industry. Critics argue that too much of the BBC's budget goes on travel, accommodation, and per diems for crew from London, while the BBC's spending in Scotland is disputed.
The Scottish Government's medium-term financial outlook shows some fiscal constraints, but there is still commitment to investing in public infrastructure and related initiatives that could indirectly support journalism through digital and civic infrastructure.
In conclusion, Scotland's multifaceted strategy to fund and support public interest journalism points to a model where government involvement complements community efforts, contrasting with more market-driven approaches elsewhere. This comprehensive stance suggests stronger protections and opportunities for democracy and civic participation than might be found in jurisdictions with less strategic focus on public interest journalism.
The Campaign for Freedom of Information in Scotland (CFoIS) is advocating for reforms, which indirectly support public interest journalism by facilitating access to information, aligning with the general news agenda. The push for SPiJI, recommended by a government report, has also extended to discussions in politics and media circles, reflecting the significance of education-and-self-development as people become more informed and engaged citizens within a democratic society.
