The Scottish government’s plan to ban alcohol advertising in newspapers and elsewhere could force UK-wide publishers to either produce Scotland-only editions of single-edition magazines or not distribute in the country at all, according to the Scottish Newspaper Society.
The society surveyed Scottish news publishers and revealed that the proposal could wipe out one-eighth of advertising revenues – up to £1.5m a year – and “cripple” local newspapers.
Scottish Newspaper Society Director John McLellan said: “The Scottish government’s threat to alcohol advertising and marketing in newspapers and magazines is based on little more than a whim that children might be influenced by what they might come across in publications primarily aimed at and read by adults, and limited anecdotal evidence that some people struggling with addictions might relapse if they see an advert.
“The consultation paper produces no concrete evidence to prove the extent of the effect of advertising in news brands on children or people suffering addiction issues, yet the clear intention is to knock this leg from under our businesses and cripple them in the process.”
Those who took part in the survey voiced concerns that the proposal would threaten “best-buy” features and potentially subject drinks-related editorial coverage to legislation, destroy tourism-related publications on which many independent publishers rely, and end wine clubs as a feature in Scottish news publications.
The consultation on the proposal is open until 9 March.
