I HAVE created social media content for 18 years now. What that has taught me is that however useful social media is, it cannot exist without there being a mainstream media for it to bounce off. That’s one reason why I have so enjoyed writing for The National for several years now.
Doing so has made me appreciate three things. The first is that without ever having to agree with everything it publishes, what I know is that the material it makes available to those who believe in an independent Scotland is vital. There needs to be a mainstream media outlet that actually believes in Scotland. The National is that.
Secondly, The National is radical. It has created a reputation for saying what others will not, most especially through its bold front covers, which attract attention beyond Scotland as well as within it.
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Thirdly, The National stands out for exploring ideas. Those of us who have done much of the heavy lifting to imagine how Scotland might have an economy so much better than it has now have much to thank it for. It has given us a voice when most would not have done. As a result ideas have been developed, explored and refined in ways that would otherwise have just not been possible.
Pulling those ideas together The National has, in my opinion, done more than most media to lead the narrative rather than follow it.
Quite simply, the independence movement would not be where it is without The National, and for that I am grateful.
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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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