Ministers north of the border are now calling for evidence into an inquiry into the decline of the Scottish press.

The evidence will inform MSPs about the current state of the Scottish newspaper industry before they take oral representations from journalists and newspaper publishers on 13 January.

Other media commentators will be invited to give evidence at a second session the following week.

The inquiry follows a series of large-scale redundancies and streamlining of editorial operations at regional dailies such as Newsquest’s Herald and Times Group, in Glasgow, and Johnston Press’ trio of titles based in Edinburgh.

Karen Whitefield MSP, convener of the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee, said: “The committee believes that the threats to the local and weekly newspaper industry in Scotland should be highlighted.

“That is why our evidence sessions in January will look at issues such as the consequence of the economic recession and the impact of digital media as an alternative news source and advertising medium.

“Equally important are the implications in reporting on local issues and for local and regional culture.”

The committee will also look at the opportunities arising from the government’s Digital Britain report and the future of local news gathering and reporting.

The UK government’s Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has been taking evidence for several months into the state of the local media and has heard representations from media analyst Claire Enders and Press Association MD Tony Watson among others.