The First Minister has expressed deep concerns over proposals to end the STV North tea-time news bulletin.
The Scottish Government’s response to Ofcom’s consultation on STV’s request to change its regional programming commitments strongly urges consideration of the long-term implications this would have on local public service broadcasting in Scotland.
There has been significant public and political pressure to reverse the plans to end the STV North news bulletin.
First Minister John Swinney said that removing public service obligations to deliver regional news would set a ‘damaging precedent’.
Mr Swinney commented: “The Scottish Government strongly believes that these proposals would not achieve the vital aim to ensure audiences are well-served with high-quality news across Scotland.
“Regional news coverage and bulletins are essential for democratic accountability and local representation; maintaining audience trust and engagement and supporting regional journalism and sustaining jobs.
“It is vital that high-quality, independent local bulletins are preserved, editorial centres outside Glasgow are maintained, and Scottish-based jobs and equitable news access across Scotland are safeguarded.
“We strongly urge Ofcom to consider the long-term implications for plurality, local democracy, and the health of Scotland’s media landscape before removing current public service obligations. Weakening these obligations would set a damaging precedent and accelerate the decline of public interest journalism in Scotland.”
The Scottish Government’s response to Ofcom’s consultation can be found here:
NEN PUBLISHED OUR FIRST BLOG POST ON THIS DAY IN 2011
The very first NEN blog post was published on this day in 2011. The post read:
Hello, and welcome to the brand new NEN blog.
For those of you not already familiar with the newspaper, we are a local community paper serving the North Edinburgh community. We’ve been here for over thirty years.
This blog, along with our new Facebook page and Twitter stream, represents our first foray into the world of social media. We really want to encourage more participation, more questions and ideas from the North Edinburgh community – both online and offline – and hope that these new tools will help us to do that.
We already have a good website, where you can always find the latest edition of the printed newspaper. The blog won’t be replacing that, but will instead be there to show people the latest news about the area, and also to help us cover the current funding crisis we are facing as an organisation.
Above all, we want to include your input on the blog – be it ideas for stories, comments, pictures and events. So get in touch!
The NEN’s website was sadly deleted when funding ceased but our social media presence continues on both Twitter and Facebook and the blog is still going strong with 10 – 12 posts daily.
2025 was the NEN blog’s busiest ever year with 36,000 visitors. As I write this we’ve published more than 38,000 posts – all of these remain accessible online – and we’re currently on a run of publishing on 2749 consecutive days.
When the NEN office in Crewe Road North closed much of the NEN archive material was lost, but thankfully some of our picture library was salvaged and can now be found at granton:hub (Madelvic House), where the volunteer archive team has also collated all remaining hard copies of the North Edinburgh News newspaper.
Hopefully, between the physical archive and the NEN blog, you can find all you need to know about our community’s rich history – and we’re adding to that history every day!
The new flagship show, which begins on Friday 24 November, will be presented by Martin Geissler and Laura Maciver
BBC Scotland is launching a new weekday morning news programme, Radio Scotland Breakfast, which will replace the long-running Good Morning Scotland.
The new flagship show, which begins on Friday 24 November, will be presented by Martin Geissler, host of Scotcast, and Laura Maciver, a senior presenter on Reporting Scotland: News at Seven. BBC Radio Scotland’s Phil Goodlad will present the sports news.
Current Good Morning Scotland presenters Gary Robertson and Laura Maxwell are taking up other high-profile presenting roles with the broadcaster. Gary will replace Martin as the presenter of The Sunday Show on BBC One Scotland and BBC Radio Scotland and Laura Maxwell moves to BBC Radio Scotland’s early evening news show, Drivetime, sharing the single presenting duties with Fiona Stalker across the week. She will also present editions of Lunchtime Live.
Martin will continue to be the host of Scotcast, BBC Scotland’s current affairs podcast which runs on BBC Sounds, TV and radio and BBC iPlayer.
The new breakfast show will be pacy, informal, and informative and will always focus on the stories that matter to the audience across every part of Scotland.
Breakfast will retain the high standard of trusted journalism set by Good Morning Scotland, with the big interviews that shape the agenda, breaking news, expert analysis of Scottish, UK and world news and events, as well as comprehensive coverage of sport, the economy, weather, and entertainment. It will run from 6am to 9am Monday to Friday.
Howard Simpson, Head of News and Current Affairs at BBC Scotland, said: “The launch of Breakfast marks a new chapter in the history of BBC Radio Scotland’s morning news service for audiences.
“BBC Scotland News is more important than ever now in the disinformation age and the programme will have the journalistic rigour and depth our listeners have come to expect, with Martin and Laura bringing their distinctive energy, insight, and warmth.
They will be there to help audiences make sense of the main issues facing Scotland and ask the questions that need answered.
“I’m confident that’s a combination that will make Breakfast a must-listen for people who want the latest news, sport, weather and entertainment from a Scottish perspective.
“I also want to thank Gary and Laura, whose work on Good Morning Scotland has been outstanding, and I’m delighted they’ll be bringing their talent to other roles in our news and current affairs output.’
Gary Robertson, who has successfully presented Good Morning Scotland for the last 19 years, said: ‘It’s been a privilege to be part of Good Morning Scotland, waking the nation up, for such a significant period.
“I’m excited to take on The Sunday Show full-time, where I’ll continue to ask the searching questions and explore the stories that matter most to our audiences.’
Laura Maxwell added: “I’ve loved waking up Scotland with the news every morning and now I’m looking forward to joining listeners later in the day.”
Martin Geissler said: “I can’t wait to get started. Having spent 35 years in television, I’ve only come to radio relatively recently, and I love it!
“I really enjoy the intimacy of radio, the relationship you have with an audience and the space you get to really drill down into interviews. I want to bring all of that to our new show.”
Laura Maciver added: “It’s a thrill to be part of this new chapter.
“We want to bring clarity, pace, and personality to the new show, with hopefully a few smiles along the way too.”
Journalism in Scotland celebrated as the winners of the 46th Scottish Press Awards are revealed
It was a triumphant night for The Scottish Sun at the 46th Scottish Press Awards, named as Scottish Newsbrand of the Year at a ceremony celebrating Scotland’s best journalism.
The Scottish Sun also picked up the Journalism Team of the Year for their reporting on the death of Alex Salmond, and their reporter Graham Mann took home the Scoop of the Year for his tenacity in recording every twist and turn of Stuart Hogg’s fall from rugby legend to domestic abuser.
Held at Glasgow’s Doubletree by Hilton hotel on Thursday (22 May 2025), the highly coveted Journalist of the Year was picked up by Bryan Rutherford of The Press and Journal who continued his successful evening after being awarded Regional Journalist of the Year and Specialist Journalist of the Year earlier.
The team from The Press and Journal also celebrated winning Front Page of the Year – one that caused a nasty spat between the then First Minister and the opposition leader with the shockwaves being felt 400 miles away as Labour Party leaders were accused of turning their backs on the North East of Scotland – of being The Traitors, no less.
The notable Lifetime Achievement Award which this year went to Melanie Reid, columnist and journalist at The Times Scotland. Melanie has been widely recognised for her inspirational contribution to journalism, disability rights and awareness and her weekly ‘Spinal Column’ will be much missed.
As Magnus Linklater, who presented the award, said: “She is an inspiration to journalists and readers everywhere.”
Martin Williams of The Herald was awarded Reporter of the Year and The Sunday Post celebrated winning Campaign of the Year with their campaign, ‘Saving Mothers and Babies’ which resulted in the Scottish Government agreeing funding for pre-eclampsia tests.
The team at East Lothian Courier were awarded Weekly Newsbrand of the Year.
A total of 27 awards crediting the vital work of print and digital journalism were announced in celebration of the finest journalism in Scotland.
Journalism in Scotland celebrated as the winners of the 46th Scottish Press Awards are revealed
Chair of Judges, Richard Neville, former Head of News Brands at DC Thomson and current Director of Neville Robertson Communications, said: “These awards celebrate talent from across the whole of Scotland and represent thriving journalism in every community from our big cities to our smallest villages.
“Maintaining that quality and consistency of coverage in every community is difficult these days but tonight’s winners show that our industry has the talent, skills and dedication needed to do the job.”
Richard Neville was joined by 35 independent judges from across the Scottish media, communications and public affairs industries. Former BBC Scotland newsreader Jackie Bird hosted the event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central.
Journalism in Scotland celebrated as the winners of the 46th Scottish Press Awards are revealed
The final awards of the evening were as follows:
Lifetime Achievement Award
Melanie Reid – The Times Scotland
Weekly Newsbrand of the Year
East Lothian Courier
Scoop of the Year
Graham Mann – The Scottish Sun
Front Page of the Year
The Press and Journal
Journalism Team of the Year
The Scottish Sun – The death of Alex Salmond
Campaign of the Year
The Sunday Post – ‘Saving Mothers and Babies’
Reporter of the Year
Martin Williams – The Herald
Journalist of the Year
Bryan Rutherford – The Press and Journal
Scottish Newsbrand of the Year
The Scottish Sun
Journalism in Scotland celebrated as the winners of the 46th Scottish Press Awards are revealed
The full list of Scottish Press Awards winners can be found here.
The 46th Scottish Press Awards were sponsored by Diageo, Edrington, VisitScotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, Openreach, The Glenmorangie Company Ltd, The Law Society of Scotland, Caledonian MacBrayne, Muckle Media, Weber Shandwick, Women in Journalism Scotland, Media House International, Event Consultants Scotland and Newsbrands Scotland.
The trade association for Scotland’s news publishers, the Scottish Newspaper Society, has been renamed Newsbrands Scotland, dropping “newspaper” from its title for the first time in a history stretching back 108 years.
While printed newspapers remain an important part of news publishers’ operations, the name change reflects modern newsrooms which reach far bigger audiences through digital platforms, with news operations working round the clock to deliver news to readers in the format they want, when they want it.
Newsbrands Scotland’s inaugural president, National World plc’s chief commercial officer Mark Hollinshead, said: “Our newsbrands reach more people than they ever did in the print-only days and the new name of our trade association reflects the multi-platform reality of the modern newsroom.”
Industry research [TGI, December 2022] shows that nine out of ten adults in Scotland engage with print or digital newsbrands at least once a week and are seven per cent more likely to rely on newspapers to stay informed than UK adults. And according to the latest JICREG analysis, 96 per cent of Scots read a local brand once a month.
Mark added: “Ever since the advent of the internet, Scottish news publishers have been evolving and innovating to keep their audiences well-served with up-to-the-minute, trusted information and analysis, and the audience figures speak for themselves.
“Scottish newsbrands keep communities across the country well-informed and connected, have a vital role to play in holding national and local politicians to account for the decisions they make, and are an essential means for services, businesses and charities to communicate with their users and customers.”
Further research from the news industry marketing body Newsworks reveals people are 2.4 times more likely to find news brands reliable than social media, and three-quarters believe it is important their news comes from a respected and recognised news provider.
Newsbrands Scotland director John McLellan said “Our titles continue to provide a depth and breadth of coverage that few, if any, networks can match, and the fact that all our members are independently regulated is also vital for maintaining public trust.
“Readers want to know they are being provided with professionally produced news, and our commercial partners benefit because readers recognise they are in a trusted environment.
“News publishers also continue to support and train the journalists of the future, and it’s important for our name to reflect an industry that is always looking forward.”
The rebranding project was a collaborative effort across member companies, with the branding design produced by DC Thomson and the marketing campaign devised by National World, with input from News UK and Newsquest Scotland.
“This was a very good example of publishers working together for the benefit of the whole sector in Scotland, whether society members or not,” added John McLellan.
Teenagers in the UK are turning away from traditional news channels and are instead looking to Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to keep up to date, Ofcom has found.
Ofcom’s News Consumption in the UK 2021/22 report shows that, for the first time, Instagram is the most popular news source among teenagers – used by nearly three in ten in 2022 (29%). TikTok and YouTube follow closely behind, used by 28% of youngsters to follow news.
BBC One and BBC Two – historically the most popular news sources among teens – have been knocked off top spot down to fifth place. Around a quarter of teens (24%) use these channels for news in 2022, compared to nearly half (45%) just five years ago.1
BBC One remains the most used news source among all online adults, although it is one of several major TV news channels to reach fewer people in 2022.2 News viewing to BBC One, BBC Two, BBC News channel, ITV and Sky News is now below pre-pandemic levels, resuming a longer-term decline in traditional TV news viewing.
TikTok clocks up millions more news users
Conversely, TikTok has seen the largest increase in use of any news source between 2020 and 2022 – from 0.8 million UK adults in 2020 (1%), increasing to 3.9 million UK adults in 2022 (7%).3 This brings it onto a par with Sky News’ website and app.
TikTok’s growth is primarily driven by younger age groups, with half of its news users aged 16 to 24. Users of TikTok for news claim to get more of their news on the platform from ‘other people they follow’ (44%) than ‘news organisations’ (24%).4
Yih-Choung Teh, Ofcom’s Group Director for Strategy and Research, said: “Teenagers today are increasingly unlikely to pick up a newspaper or tune into TV News, instead preferring to keep up-to-date by scrolling through their social feeds.
“And while youngsters find news on social media to be less reliable, they rate these services more highly for serving up a range of opinions on the day’s topical stories.”
TV news remains trusted
TV news remains the most trusted news source among UK adults (71%), with news on social media considered the least reliable (35%). CNN (83%) and Sky News (75%) are highly trusted by their viewers for news, while the public service broadcasters are also trusted by the majority of their viewers – BBC (73%), ITV (70%), Channel 4 (66%) and Channel 5 (59%). Sixty-seven per cent of newcomer GB News’s viewers trust its news reporting.
Among teens, half of YouTube and Twitter users think they provide trustworthy news stories (51% and 52% respectively). Despite its popularity for news, fewer than a third of youngsters (30%) trust TikTok’s news content.
Decline in print news appears to accelerate
The combined use of print and online newspapers among adults is 38% in 2022, a significant decrease from 2020 (47%) and 2018 (51%).
This is being driven by the substantial decrease of print newspaper reach in recent years, with the trend seen pre-pandemic appearing to accelerate, likely exacerbated by the pandemic.
Less than a quarter (24%) of UK adults use print newspapers for news in 2022, compared with more than a third (35%) in 2020, and two in five (40%) in 2018. Use of newspapers among teenagers fell from 19% to 13% in the last five years.
TheScottish Sun swept the board at the 42nd annual Scottish Press Awards last night as the industry celebrated the very best of Scotland’s journalism.
The Glasgow-based titlescooped the prestigious Newspaper of the Year Award, Journalism Team of the Year and News Website of the Year accolades, for its coverage of the Coronavirus pandemic.
It was also a triumphant year for the publication’s Political Editor Chris Musson, who was named Journalist of the Year, Reporter of the Year, and Scottish Political Journalist of the Year.
He also secured Scoop of the Year with colleague Graham Mann for their shocking expose that saw Finance Secretary Derek Mackay quit in 2020 after revealing he sent hundreds of messages to a schoolboy, aged 16,
Chair of judges Denise West, chief commercial officer at DC Thomson Media and ex-Trinity Mirror (North) managing director said: “Journalists dig up stories, but their titles have to know what to do with them, and with its usual panache, The Scottish Sun knew exactly what to do when the good were delivered.
“Our daily paper of the year has lost none of its style and vigour and resisted political pressure to deliver one of the most important stories of 2020 and to keep well ahead of the pack when it came to the big political scoops.”
Denise said the decision to give Chris Musson Journalist of the Year was one of the “easiest decisions” judges have had to make in the awards’ recent history.
She added “Chris was involved in scoop after scoop which made the political weather week after week and even cost a Scottish cabinet minister his job.”
Sunday Times Scotland became the first Sunday Newspaper of the Year as judges praised the publication for its “agenda-setting news stories” as well as hard-hitting commentary and analysis.
And the Lennox Herald was chosen as the Weekly Newspaper of the Year by a panel of Scottish daily newspaper editors.
A total of 33 awards crediting the vital work of print and digital journalism were announced, with The Daily Record scooping the Campaign of the Year title with its ‘Addicted: What Do We Do About Scotland’s Drugs Deaths” series.
The Press and Journal’s Julia Bryce won the first ever Food and Drink Writer of the Year award, Gabriella Bennett of The Times won the Travel Writer category and DC Thomson’s Lesley-Anne Kelly was named Specialist Reporter of the Year.
The Nicola Barry Award, which was introduced in 2018 in honour of the late award-winning columnist and feature writer, was awarded to The Sunday Post’s Laura Smith.
Alan Muir, the ex-editor of The Scottish Sun who recently left after 34 years at the newspaper. received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award.
And The Orcadian received the inaugural Chairperson’s Award for how they’d served their local community and “stood up for its readers” during the pandemic.
Denise praised the newspaper, adding: “This one small title went out of its way to do its bit with tangible help for its community by giving up vital revenue to reduce advertising rates so small local companies could market their services cheaply and rebuild.”
This year’s judging panel comprised 37 independent judges compromising 21 women and 15 men drawn from across the Scottish media, communications, and public affairs industries.
The event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central was hosted by former BBC Scotland newsreader Jackie Bird.
The 42nd Scottish Press Awards are sponsored by VisitScotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, Diageo, Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Openreach, BIG Partnership, Women in Journalism Scotland, DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central, Event Consultants Scotland and SGN.
Scottish Newspaper Society Director John McLellan said: ““There is no question that 2020 was the most difficult year news publishing has ever faced, keeping readers properly informed through the biggest crisis any of us have ever known at the same time as the revenues on which all titles depend all but collapsed.
“But as an industry we were more than up to the challenge, as all our entries and our growing audiences clearly demonstrate.
“It has been brilliant to have our first in-person awards since the pandemic began and it’s a clear statement of intent that the sector will recover and continue to serve our communities.”
More information about all Scottish Press Awards winners can be found at:
Bauer Media Scotland has paid tribute to Tom Steele, a key member of the team which launched Radio Forth, who has passed away after a long illness.
Tom began his career in newspapers before becoming Radio Clyde’s first employee when he was appointed to the news team in October 1973. He then moved to Radio Forth as Head of News ahead of the launch of the new station in January 1975.
He progressed to become the Programme Director and oversaw the splitting of broadcast frequencies on FM and AM to create Forth 1 and Forth 2. Tom then took over as Managing Director before he retired due to ill health in 1999.
As well as his work at Radio Forth, one of Tom’s greatest achievements was at Today FM when a day trip to Dublin turned into a year’s stay as Managing Director during which time he turned around the station’s fortunes.
Tom was a leading light in the radio industry through his work to develop and evolve fresh programming and he was also well regarded for his contribution to radio industry events and committees.
Graham Bryce, Chief Operating Officer, Bauer Media Audio UK, said: “Tom was one of the driving forces behind Radio Forth as he was passionate about radio and doing the best for our listeners and the local area.
“Local radio was very new in the UK at the time and Tom was at the forefront of the industry which was recognised by the many awards and accolades he won over the years. The foundations he laid down have also ensured that Forth remains a market leading station today.
“Tom made a huge contribution to local radio in Scotland and was a key part of our team for many years and our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.”
A special edition of North Edinburgh News (NEN) has been produced to highlight the support and advice available to the local community during the coronavirus pandemic.
While most people now get their daily diet of news online, many people do not have computer access and still rely on traditional media like newsletters,flyers and newspapers to keep up to date.
The eight page A4 newsletter, produced by North Edinburgh’s Covid-19 Foodshare Group, will be delivered to homes across North Edinburgh over the coming weeks.
If the newsletter proves popular it may become a regular publication – let us know what you think at northedinnews@gmail.com
If you can’t wait to get your copy, see below – you can print off your own!
