A petition calling for an end to job cuts at The Herald, Evening Times and Sunday Herald in Glasgow has been launched by the National Union of Journalists.

So far has more than 1,000 signatures have been added, following the news that the papers’ owners, Newsquest, plan to make millions of pounds of savings.

The petition, at www.ipetitions.com, calls on the company to abide by assurances to maintain the quality and level of coverage of Scottish issues and opinions, which Newsquest gave when they bought the titles in 2003.

It says the roles of The Herald as a national newspaper and the Sunday Herald as an award-winning quality Sunday title is at risk, while the ability of Evening Times journalists to sustain the high profile campaigning identity of the paper is being undermined.

It adds: “The real danger to these prestigious Scottish titles comes directly from Newsquest’s demand for job cuts in each of the last three years.”

Last month Newsquest told staff its advertising revenue forecast shows a “considerable gap” for the remainder of 2007.

At the time, Newsquest (Herald & Times) managing director Tim Blott told HoldtheFrontPage: “We spend millions of pounds each year in quality editorial in Scotland which is why we win more awards than virtually any other publisher. We invest and will continue to invest to ensure we produce the best quality editorial in Scotland.” Do you have a story about the regional press?
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