Published: Wednesday, 3rd February, 2010 1:00pm

MSPs Back Local Newspaper Fight

by Roisin McGroarty

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CARRICK politician Cathy Jamieson has joined the campaign to support local newspapers.

The Labour MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley has signed a motion regarding the impact on local papers of the potential loss of revenue from government advertising. She is also set to meet representatives of the newspaper industry in the Scottish Parliament this week.

It follows a host of other Ayrshire politicians who have voiced their opposition to the government only displaying advertising online, severely cutting newspaper funding.

According to a report from the Scottish Affairs Select Committee at Westminster, the change could also do irreversible damage to local newspapers by costing them up to £10million in lost revenue.

Speaking this week to the Advertiser Series - which includes the Ayr Advertiser, Troon & Prestwick Times and Carrick Herald - Cathy said: "I'm backing this campaign because local newspapers are vitally important to Scotland's democratic and cultural life. They are part of the fabric of our communities and I hope that MSPs from all parties will support us in this week's debate."

Ayr MSP John Scott was also showing his support during the recent vote.

Speaking to the Advertiser Series, John said: "Local newspapers like the Advertiser Series play an invaluable role in gathering local news, keeping communities in touch and highlighting issues of local concern and I have serious concerns that switching advertising away from local newspapers and online would undoubtedly threaten the viability of many titles."

The official record of the decision resulting from last week's debate in the Scottish Parliament showed that 76 MSPs voted against the SNP motion and 48 for.

Read the full story, only in this week's paper.