Motion 20
Scottish Journalism Crisis and SPIJI
“That this Congress notes the recent damaging level of staff cuts and redundancies across news media in Scotland and the destructive impact of these cuts on news coverage in general, and particularly on specialist areas of coverage which are vital to the quality of public debate in Scotland.
“Congress notes that the current situation only strengthens the case for the setting up of a Scottish Public Interest Journalism Institute, made in a 2021 report commissioned by the Scottish Government; and welcomes the Scottish Government’s recent decision to offer some continuing administrative support for the process of setting up such an institute.
“Congress notes the UK Government’s Online Media Literacy Strategy; and the recommendations made by the Scottish Public Interest Journalism Working Group to embed media literacy in the school curriculum. Media literacy is essential to assess all sources of information, learn how to find reliable news sources and differentiate between rumour, pastiche, propaganda and misinformation.
“Congress also notes the positive role played by the NUJ in Scotland in moving this project forward to support the sustainable media industry needed to play a crucial role in a modern democracy.
“Congress therefore instructs the General Council to play a full part in sustaining pressure on the Scottish Government to support this development in the light of the profound crisis currently facing Scottish journalism; and to do all it can to help raise public and political awareness around this vital issue for the future of public debate and democracy in Scotland.
“Congress also instructs the General Council to work with the NUJ to develop a campaign on the need for media literacy, and to call on the Scottish Government to work with the STUC, NUJ, and relevant bodies to develop a media literacy strategy for Scotland.”
Mover: National Union of Journalists
RSS