WE'RE pleased to announce we are nearly one third of the way to our next target of 7000 subscribers after reaching a total of 6347 today.
As we have surpassed 6000 subscribers Scotland's only pro-independence newspaper will produce a new series of monthly supplements targeted at No voters.
Building on the success of our landmark publication of the full McCrone Report earlier this year we will work with experts to produce a fact-based supplement every month about the case for independence which Yes groups and individual readers can use to convince No voters.
We want to achieve 10,000 subscribers as quickly as possible – and for every 1000 that we sign up we will pledge to invest in the paper and boost the campaign for independence.
We need to make sure we’re in as strong a position as possible to influence the national debate – and here’s what we will do as we reach each new subscriber milestone.
Support us with a subscription.
7000 subscribers
We will hire a full-time video journalist to produce viral videos that will be available for all Yes groups and social media users to share.
8000 subscribers
We will launch a Unionist fact-checking service that examine dodgy claims by politicians (and the media) and get to the truth to make sure that undecided voters can’t be deceived in any way by “Project Fear II” (you know it’s coming …)
9000 subscribers
We will hire a digital journalist to work with Yes groups on local stories.
10,000 subscribers
We will deliver a free glossy magazine outlining the benefits of independence to every town in Scotland. This will be an invaluable resource as we gear up for the big vote.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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