Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Free newspaper plan for Scottish teenagers

The Scottish Government has been asked to back a scheme to give a year's free newspaper subscription to every 17-year-old in order to give a boost to the industry.

Distribution firm Menzies Group has approached enterprise minister Jim Mather with the free subscription proposal and is awaiting a response.

A Menzies Group spokesman said the proposal was similar to that introduced in France earlier this year.

In February, French president Nicolas Sarkozy announced that every 18-year-old in the country would get a free daily newspaper of their choice.

The newspaper groups cover the cost of production and the French government pays for the papers to be distributed to homes.

A Scottish Government spokesman said it was examining a number of ideas to "breathe fresh life" into the newspaper industry.

No comments: