Scottish Independence is the go-to platform for expert reporting, polling data, opinion and in-depth analysis of the debate as it develops over the coming months in the lead up to the referendum on 18th September, say the publishers.
The site is the first of its kind from Johnston Press, which partnered with technology provider PublishThis to bring real-time content and curation, offering a new model that JP will use to launch in other areas of interest across the UK.
Bringing together the best content on the subject from across the internet, Scottish Independence also curates the finest insight from Johnson Press’ The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday titles, from Scotsman.com. The site highlights and visualises the polling information commissioned by the Scotsman through to the vote.
Scottish Independence includes content from social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, as well as video, images and graphics, offering a range of opinion, commentary and debate, to give a voice to readers across the UK as during the final 100 days to the referendum.
Jeff Moriarty, Chief Digital and Product Officer at Johnston Press, said: “Johnston Press has promised to service communities across the UK with best-in-class local media and to produce products that are at the forefront of the industry, in line with how the definition of local media is evolving. The Scottish referendum is the most significant community event in recent years, giving us the opportunity to do just that, with a content-rich product. We believe it’s of utmost importance to give a platform to the multiple voices in the Scottish independence debate, something which has been central to this product as we respond to our readers’ needs.”
The responsive site also covers the history of the debate, including ‘explainer’ guides about key topics such as defence, pensions, national debt, oil, currency, higher education, devo max, the European Union, to what the result might mean for those living in Scotland and beyond its borders.
The launch from Johnston Press comes in response to the significant interest in the Scottish Independence debate from its total audience of 24.5 million people, across Scotland, the North East, West Yorkshire, the North West & Isle of Man, South Yorkshire, the South, Midlands and Northern Ireland.
Ian Stewart, Editor of The Scotsman, said: “With the independence question dominating debates in the Scottish media, as well as conversations in Scottish homes and around the UK, Scottish Independence adds an extra dimension to the coverage already published on our own Scotsman.com. By incorporating views expressed on other outlets, including those on social media, it is the go-to place for all independence-related content. If there is one thing that Scotland is undeniably not short of right now, it’s opinion on whether people should vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on September 18th and this new site displays the best selection of content in a high-visibility, easy-to-find and easy-to-navigate way.”
The new site is being promoted on Scotsman.com and Johnston Press’ other Scottish sites, such as www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk, www.falkirkherald.co.uk, www.fifetoday.co.uk, www.buchanobserver.co.uk and www.stornowaygazette.co.uk
The site is built in WordPress, with content curated via PublishThis.
