Dear Democrat reader,

In the past few days, two of America’s largest newspapers have declined to endorse a candidate for president in this USA election. The LA Times and the Washington Post both have a tradition of issuing editorial endorsements, but in this most consequential of contests for US (and the rest of the world), they have chosen to sit on the sidelines of democracy and not alienate any candidate or political party.  Something these two papers have in common? They both have billionaire owners who could face retaliation in a Trump presidency. The Dumbarton Democrat is the equivalent of the Skibbereen Eagle made famous when the Tsar was still in power in Russia. The Democrat is a tiny local digital news platform made possible by 21st century technology.  We are watching the Scottish Parliament closely as elections for the Holyrood parliament come ever closer. We have been supplying a FREE on-line news and features service for this area for five years now during which other local news providers have shifted away. cutting staff and closing offices. We have, however, been punished by the council here for being too tough on them. But we have never stepped out of line legally. They have, frequently. Just look at their track record for breaches of employment law, for example, and instances of bullying. They have put a ban on their press officers from speaking to us directly and answering our questions and refused to lift it and adopt the usual customs and practice for their relationship with us here. They have done all they can to obstruct us in our duty as bona fide journalists operating in a democracy. Their behaviour has been puerile and vindictive and it is time it was brought to an end.

It has never been clearer that media ownership matters to democracy. Yes, even local democracy. The Guardian newspaper said just today that it is not billionaire-owned; nor do they have shareholders. The Dumbarton Democrat is not financially supported by anyone, which guarantees our editorial independence. Nobody influences our journalism. We are fiercely independent and accountable only to you, our readers. People who tell you otherwise are being economical with the truth. The stakes of the next Scottish Parliament election could not be higher. Fearless journalism and an informed public are bedrocks of democracy, and it is an abdication of our duty as journalists if we sit out this election out of self-interest. Unlike other local media, we have no skin in this game. The Lennox Herald, the Reporter, Lomond Radio and the Community Advertiser, ALL receive advertising support, which is the lifeblood of newspapers, from West Dunbartonshire Council. The Democrat gets nothing and faces spurious excuses.  The council can place as many bans and strictures on us as they wish, but we haven’t gone away you know. And we have no intention of going anywhere soon. We won’t be ignoring stories just because they offend our advertisers.

Bill Heaney, Editor