SCOTTISH trade unionists yesterday voted to back a National Union of Journalists (NUJ) motion calling for Holyrood to explore new models of press ownership, writes Eve Livingston.

Moving the motion at the Scottish TUC in Dundee, NUJ member Jen Stout decried the decline of local newspapers. 

Recalling her own experience of work at a local title, Ms Stout said: “It was relied upon and we felt privileged to provide that service”. 

But, she said, vast parts of the country are left with no local title at all due to the domination of large, multinational companies and owners. 

“I want to stress there is nothing inevitable about this,” Ms Stout said.

“Local papers which were profitable and viable have been closed overnight by massive companies.”

Ms Stout urged delegates to back the exploration of new models of ownership, citing the success of the employee-owned West Highland Free Press. 

“There must be another option and the Scottish government can lead the way in this,” she told congress.