DO you ever find yourself frustrated with how Scotland and Scottish independence are portrayed in the mainstream media? Do you wish someone would call out inaccuracies and bias and level the playing field?
The National’s latest free newsletter Media Watch, set to launch next week, will aim to address these concerns by keeping a close eye on how the UK media go about covering Scottish issues, as well as current affairs across the globe.
With the result of the election last week, we know the UK media will be eager to suggest Scottish independence is a lost cause. But we know support is still strong and will be there to call out any spurious suggestions otherwise.
Whether it’s broadcast, print or online, we’ll be highlighting the most glaring examples of Scotland being illustrated unfairly. We’ll equally look to cast a spotlight on some of the more subtle ways in which Unionist sentiment makes it into the media.
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Media Watch will also be across disturbing instances of AI distorting the truth, and fake news trends being pushed by bad actors.
We’ll also be ensuring you are kept right up to date with any concerning behaviour from politicians on social media, as well as any unmissable embarrassing clips from the likes of Question Time, Good Morning Britain, radio interviews and more.
We know there are big questions out there too about how the media landscape in Scotland could be improved so that those who believe in independence or a different constitutional future are better served. Media Watch will seek to dig into this, and if you have any topics you’re keen to hear more about do get in touch.
In today’s world of constant and instantaneous news with so many platforms, finding the truth can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack, but Media Watch aims to go some way to changing that.
We at The National are all too aware we stand alone as the only pro-independence daily newspaper in the country and, now and again, it can seem daunting.
But we don’t let it get to us. We believe in our mission and part of that mission is to make sure independence supporters have a media platform they can call home, one that doesn’t stand for Scotland’s name being unjustifiably dragged through the mud and one that will expose those who try to.
Sign up to receive Media Watch for free direct to your inbox every Monday here.
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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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