A NEWSPAPER publisher is set to close two of its titles in a move that has been condemned as "dreadful" by an MSP.
Johnston Press confirmed that it is proposing to shut down the East Lothian News and its Musselburgh News edition and confirmed that jobs may be lost as a result.
The group, which also owns The Scotsman and Yorkshire Post titles, suggested that no final decision had yet been taken although it confirmed the newspapers may go as part of a review of its print portfolio.
Staff at the titles said they had been informed that there was no future for the newspapers with the final editions set to be published next month.
Alison Johnstone, Green MSP for the Lothians, hit out at the decision and also criticised cutbacks at the Edinburgh Evening News, another Johnston Press title that has seen significant budget and staffing reductions in recent years.
She said: "This is a dreadful decision by Johnston Press, both for readers and for staff, and adds to the already brutal cutbacks at the Edinburgh Evening News. Our communities deserve good quality local information and investigation, and a vibrant local newspaper scene is crucial to that.
"I have asked Johnston Press to explain their reasoning behind this shock decision and for assurances about the future of the skilled staff at these titles. The online media age should mean more local content, not less. Cutting staff and titles is a false economy, and I urge the owners to rethink their decision."
George Kerevan, SNP MP for East Lothian and a former associate editor of The Scotsman, also criticised the decision. On Twitter, he wrote: "Angry at decision to close East Lothian & Musselburgh News titles. Sad for [chief reporter] Avril Campbell and staff. We need to defend local newspapers."
A spokesman for Johnston Press said: "The East Lothian News (including the Musselburgh edition) may close as a result of a current review of JP's print portfolio. Its future is currently being considered and staff have been informed that a small number of roles may be placed at risk if the proposals to close the title go ahead. A decision will be made in due course and staff updated accordingly."
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