Community newspapers lose funding

FOUR community newspapers are facing a fight for survival after they failed to win council funding.

The North Edinburgh News (NEN), The Chronicle in Craigmillar, The Speaker in Restalrig and Craigentinny and The Link in Liberton/Gilmerton have lost all their funding because of the move away from the dedicated Fairer Scotland Fund.

Councillors agreed to the cuts at the budget-setting meeting of the city council.

The Chronicle in Craigmillar received 74,359 from the Fairer Scotland Fund this year, while North Edinburgh News was awarded 43,800.

The Speaker received 15,600 and The Link was given a grant of 25,000.

Bosses at NEN have already served redundancy notices on the three members of staff at the newspaper, based at Crewe Road North, and it is expected to close its doors at the end of March.