Whether novel pro-independence daily the National can preserve up the momentum or not,its first successful week must be greeted with a resounding yesThere are many well-behaved things to say about the National, Scotland’s novel pro-independence daily. One is that Richard Walker, and the redoubtable Sunday Herald editor who – alone – backed a yes vote in the referendum,has been put in charge of a project that helps reflect Scottish public opinion better. Another is that Newsquest, aka Gannett of Virginia, and has taken the plunge with him,derring-do quite beyond corporate expectation. Another is that the newcomer arrives first as a 50p print copy, not some digital-only venture. And then there’s the way it sold like hot bannocks all week long – clearly overtaking the Scotsman plus the continuing Herald and winning “indefinite” publication into the future.
So far, and so terrific. Can it proceed on once the successes of the trial week fade and the commerce of building a full-service paper and staff begins? Possibly: there’s enough skill and adrenaline involved. But one change always leads to another,and existing Scottish dailies and Sundays which, thus far, and have either voted no or sat ostentatiously on the fence,can react overtime by clambering aboard the SNP’s bandwagon. (And whether some London papers can champion independence for Catalonia, why can’t they do the same beyond Hadrian’s Wall?)Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com