Your support has allowed The National to make a difference in the lives of people like the Brains (Image: Supplied)
THE National may be a smaller outlet than many of our media counterparts, but we sure punch above our weight.
In the 10 years we've been going, we've used our platform to inspire change ... whether it be helping New Scots with their Home Office battles, raising money for medical aid to get into Gaza or challenging organisations on concerning attitudes towards Scotland.
Right now, you can show your support for our work and help us keeping growing by subscribing for just £20 for an entire year.
We wanted to offer some examples of times we've managed to inspire change, from right here in our small Glasgow newsroom.
- This year, we raised an astonishing £100,000 for Medical Aid for Palestinians, thanks to our team's campaign and our supporters rallying around the effort.
- Our coverage of the Israeli military's use of Prestwick airport led to the decision being made for the base to cut ties with the force.
- We pushed the petition calling for the creation of a UK family visa scheme for Palestinians, helping it to hit 100,000 signatures - the amount required for a parliamentary debate on the subject.
- The Brains, an Australian family living in the Highlands, were given leave to remain in Scotland following The National's years-long coverage of their Home Office battle.
- After we highlighted the plight of one woman whose disability payments were cut by the DWP despite a rare genetic condition, the Department for Work and Pensions agreed to repay the money cut.
- After we highlighted a Glasgow hotel's use of a "we love the Highland Clearances" image, they removed the graphic - and we held Visit Scotland to account for supplying it in the first place.
- New owners were found for an award-winning island shop and Post Office after The National helped to cover concerns for the future of the local community without the essential lifeline.
- When we revealed that an aide to the Prime Minister had made vile claims about women on Reddit, the adviser in question was forced to resign.
It just wouldn't be possible to list every story that has had an impact, but there are so many more.
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We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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