Farewell from the editor

I’ve seen many highs at my time with the Gazette, including the team’s triumph and delight in winning the Highlands and Islands Media Awards for Best Newspaper and Best Website in 2013.

The hosting of the Scottish Independence Referendum Debate at Stornoway Town hall in 2014, which saw a public scramble for the limited tickets - I’ve never been so popular! Although, I’m not sure First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (or the other panellists) enjoyed the marathon-long three and a half hour question and answer session that night.

The Gazette’s redesign, which took it from a broadsheet to a compact size was a long-time in the making and it proved to be particularly tricky in the beginning, as the team had to relearn how to balance storytelling with available space in a smaller format.

And of course I was here to celebrate the paper’s 100th anniversary in 2017.

During these past 16 years I’ve met many characters, I was fortunate to be involved with many excellent stories, but most of all I had the chance to serve the community of the Outer Hebrides which has become my home.

There were some challenges too. Seeing talented, skilled and valued colleagues moving on was never easy, although I wished them all well, and I’m glad and proud of the successes they have achieved for themselves post-Gazette.

The changes to the newspaper industry and the way the public has decided to consume its news is also an ongoing challenge. A challenge which has meant the death-knell for many local newspapers.

Thankfully the Gazette still has a strong readership - in print it continues to be read in thousands of households across the Islands and online its readership, not only includes local people who enjoy the convenience of clicking on their news stories, but also with readers in far-flung spots around the globe.

I am grateful for this strong support for the paper, however many people have got into the habit of scorning the press.

At a national level the media is berated for presenting “fake news” and at a local level newspapers are criticised for having less “local news” due to diminishing staffing levels.

What I would say is that “fake news” cannot thrive if you consume your news widely, as inaccuracies, untruths and bias soon reveal themselves.

You will never be properly informed by only reading one version of a news story, wider consumption is vital to gain the full picture in all its colour and depth.

At a local level the only way to get more local news is to support your local paper, not only by reading it, but also with engagement and through advertising.

Adequate staffing to deliver the local news people crave must be paid for and that can only happen if the public are willing to pay.

These days many see social media platforms as a way of getting their news, but these platforms are not regulated and often present gossip, or skewed facts as the truth. They are more useful as debate platforms rather than a way of properly informing yourself about important matters.

Consider where your community would be without your local newspaper, please continue to support it - not only the Stornoway Gazette - but also the many other local newspapers the length of the Islands - and they will continue to highlight the issues that matter to you.

Melinda Gillen, former Editor of the Stornoway Gazette