Public Interest Journalism Working Group recommendations: Scottish Government response

What is the Scottish Government already doing to support public interest journalism in Scotland?

The Scottish Government already commits resources to the sector in several important ways including through marketing spend (£3,683,701.27 in 2020/21), through Scottish Funding Council (SFC) supporting research and education, and through Skills Development Scotland (SDS). The funding provided from Scottish Government to SFC and SDS to deliver university courses, college courses and apprenticeships provide routes into the journalism sector.

In 2020-21, there were 175 enrolments in Journalism courses at Scottish colleges in Higher Education and 5 in Further Education – this includes courses at Borders College, City of Glasgow College and Glasgow Clyde College.

Furthermore, in 2020-21, there were 795 enrolments in Journalism courses at Scottish Higher Education institutes. This includes 675 enrolments on undergraduate courses and 120 at postgraduate study level.

The Modern Apprenticeship in Creative Digital Media includes an explicit journalism route, which was developed by a key group of industry representatives from broadcast, national and regional press titles and the online digital platforms across the sector. This Framework also supports an enhancement to achieve the National Council for Training of Journalists certificate in addition to the SVQ Diploma.

This work is all significant in ensuring a strong and vibrant future for public interest journalism in Scotland, however the Scottish Government is always keen to hear how we can go even further to support our Scottish public interest news providers.