NICOLA Sturgeon has said a free press is "as important as it has ever been" during the pandemic.
The First Minister outlined her support for Journalism Matters, a campaign that highlights the vital role trusted media plays in a democratic society, in an article for The Times.
She said: "The relationship between journalists and politicians is one that has tension at its heart. But it is a healthy tension, which can be productive and positive.
"Journalists are in the position to pose the questions that the public want to ask — and it is our duty as politicians to answer them as honestly and fairly as we can."
Sturgeon went on to say that Covid-19 has highlighted the importance of the press, with journalists asking her questions at media briefings regularly.
"Journalism is an essential part of the country’s response to Covid: not only by asking those hard questions, but also in communicating vital factual information to the public," she added.
"Newspapers’ daily and weekly print stories that explain government thinking and the latest response to the pandemic – but also relay the guidance and advice that can help protect its readers from this potentially deadly virus."
The FM also described newspapers as "an important part of the economic recovery from the impact of the virus", due to providing a platform for businesses to advertise their services.
Sturgeon concluded: "Without highly trusted local journalism produced by newspapers, democracy itself would be undermined. Journalism Matters is a celebration of our newspapers and I am pleased to give it my full support.
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