Scots Ministers Defeated in Public Notices Row
The Scottish Government has suffered an embarrassing defeat over its plans to allow councils to stop advertising in newspapers.
Members of the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood yesterday voted 76 to 48 to reverse the decision by the Scottish Nationalist Party-led administration, Hold the Front Page reported.
Ministers were warned that their plans to allow councils to advertise only on the internet would damage democracy and kill off local newspapers.
The debate followed a warning earlier this week by The Scotsman group managing director Michael Johnston that the plan may put some individual titles at risk.
During the debate, MSPs raised concerns that many people would not be able to find adverts for council jobs, planning applications and road closures on the web.
Opposition Labour culture spokeswoman Pauline McNeill said: “There is a real danger that putting public notices online would lead to important decisions being taken without proper scrutiny.”
For further information please contact Paul Sinker on 020 7632 7424 or e-mail sinkerp@newspapersoc.org.uk.