South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle has accused the Scottish Government of hypocrisy after it refused to extend rates relief to local newspapers for the year ahead.
Brian criticised the SNP after the Scottish Conservatives secured cross-party support in the Scottish Parliament calling for the Scottish Government to reverse the decision by Finance Secretary Kate Forbes to axe support at the end of the month.
This decision follows the SNP’s failure to back a Scottish Conservative amendment to the Coronavirus Act last year, which provided rates relief to newspapers at the height of the pandemic. Last May, opposition parties also united to push the support through.
Scottish Conservative Brian says it’s hypocritical for the SNP to pull support from local newspapers while talking about the importance of communicating accurate information about the pandemic to the public.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“Twice now, opposition politicians at Holyrood have backed the Scottish Conservatives to support local newspapers and journalists, and twice the SNP have opposed it.
Scrutiny by the press at all levels is a vital part of any democracy, however difficult it might make life for the Government.
Extending rates relief would be an important financial boost for newspapers and help them continue to inform the public as we continue to deal with the pandemic.
It’s hypocritical for the SNP to insist that the First Minister’s daily televised briefings are so important to informing the public that they should continue even during the election, but then pull the rug out from under local newspapers who are also working to keep the public informed.
The SNP should be recognising the importance of protecting local journalism and give them the support they need.”
