POLITICIANS representing Dumbarton and the Vale are backing plans to give the local newspaper industry further support through the Covid-19 pandemic.

MSPs from Labour, the Conservatives and the Scottish Greens have all backed an amendment to emergency coronavirus legislation in the Scottish Parliament calling for relief to be provided to the newspaper publishing industry.

Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton MSP and deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party, said: “Local newspapers are the backbone of communities across Scotland.

“Now, more than ever, people rely on them as a trusted and reliable news source.

“It is vital that local news outlets receive the support and protection needed to survive this time of insecurity.

“I am pleased that Labour, together with the other opposition parties, passed an amendment to the Scottish Government’s emergency legislation.”

Ross Greer, Scottish Greens MSP for West Scotland, added: “Papers like the Reporter are performing a vital role communicating essential information and holding communities together right now.

“This is why the Scottish Greens were pleased to support this measure.

"A functioning democracy and healthy society needs a strong media at local and national level.

“We’re supporting that from parliament but this depends on people buying local papers as well, which I’d encourage everyone to do as often as they can.”

And Maurice Golden, Conservative MSP for West Scotland, added: “Local newspapers are absolutely at the heart of their communities in the West of Scotland but they have been severely hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The local newspaper industry has been recognised as a key industry but they urgently need further support.”

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Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We're not exaggerating when we say that the future of the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter is under threat.
Please consider supporting the Reporter in whatever way you can – by paying just 85p for a copy of the paper, when you're shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others, or by subscribing to our e-edition here.
Thanks – and stay safe.
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