Outgoing head of editorial development at Guardian.co.uk, Neil McIntosh, predicted the end of Scottish newspapers, The Scotsman and The Herald, during a lecture at the University of Westminster.
The soon-to-be European editor of The Wall Street Journal Online supported his old employer, director of digital content at Guardian News and Media, Emily Bell’s prediction of a bleak future for national newspapers
“Of course I agree with my boss,” said McIntosh, when asked about Bell’s recent comment that up to five national newspapers could go out of business.
Bell said: "We are on the brink of two years of carnage for western media. In the UK, five nationals could go out of business and we could be left with no UK-owned broadcaster outside of the BBC."
The Independent is one of the big names expected to struggle as Independent News and Media announced that half-yearly profits tumbled 35.6% at its UK unit, which includes the national daily.
However, McIntosh does not expect the death of The Independent because “Rich people like owning newspapers for political access and prestige,” hinting that the national daily could go down the route of hand out papers like The London Paper and The Metro.
“Some people are saying The Independent could go free.”
McIntosh does expect a better future for online journalism with wallstreetjournal.com one of the few companies hiring this year.
Photo taken from Sophie's Online Project
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