A former editor has warned the decline in local newspapers risks “driving democracy off a cliff” after being tasked with heading a new body that aims to protect public interest journalism.

Richard Walker, who was launch editor of pro-Scottish independence daily The National and also edited Glasgow’s Sunday Herald, has issued a warning about the “danger of news deserts” opening up without further intervention.

Richard’s warning came as he was unveiled as the chair of the new Scottish Public Interest Journalism Institute, which has now been launched by the Scottish Government following a review into the future of journalism in Scotland.

Among other functions, the institute aims to act as a conduit for financial support for journalism where traditional funding models are struggling, including professional local reporting.

Richard, pictured, said: “A free, independent media is a cornerstone of democracy.

“But the business model that once supported public interest journalism has been shattered in recent years by the loss of advertising revenues to social media, search engines, and online advertising platforms, which in turn drastically altered consumer behaviour.

“As a result, we have seen a dramatic decline in public interest journalism in Scotland, with the danger of news deserts where there is no-one left to champion local communities or hold authority to account.

“Without public interest journalism democracy could be driven off a cliff.  But to be successful, we need the support of a wide range of partners who recognise that journalism is a public good at the heart of a thriving, modern democracy.”

The launch of the new body comes after a similar proposal was rejected by the UK Government following the publication of the 2019 Cairncross Review into the future of news provision, although a charity called the Public News Interest Foundation was launched that year.

It will also support research into the future of journalism, champion media literacy education and act as a forum for discussion and debate on all matters about the future health and well-being of independent journalism in Scotland.

Richard said he wants the new institute to be independent from the Scottish Government, but cited the example of the “arm’s length” Dutch Journalism Fund as an initiative that could be followed in Scotland.

The Dutch Government-funded project offers grants with a brief to pay special attention to local journalism, investigative journalism and innovation.