Every day, more news stories disappear behind paywalls, leaving readers being asked to pay simply to find out what is happening in their communities and across the country.

At The Highland Times, we believe there is a better way.

Since establishing our publication in 2014, we have worked on a simple principle that remains every bit as important today as it was then.

News should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their income or circumstances.

That is why The Highland Times has never charged its readers to access the news, and we have no intention of starting now.

Whether it is a major political development, a decision affecting your community, a police appeal, a local business success or a story that deserves greater public attention, we believe you should be able to read it without reaching for your bank card.

But there is another side to independent journalism that we want to talk about openly.

Producing news costs money.

Behind every published article is work that readers rarely see, from researching stories and examining documents to contacting organisations, checking facts, maintaining our website and keeping the publication running.

Some stories take minutes to prepare, while others involve hours or even days of work before a single word appears on your screen.

Then there are the unavoidable costs of technology, hosting, security, administration and the everyday business of running an independent newspaper.

We do not have the financial resources of the major national publishing groups, nor do we have a wealthy corporate owner standing behind us.

What we have is a determination to produce worthwhile journalism and a belief that an independent voice matters.

Our coverage begins in the Highlands and Islands, but the issues we report on often matter far beyond Scotland.

We believe our readers deserve journalism that asks questions, examines decisions and gives communities a voice without demanding a subscription in return.

Independence also matters because it allows us to make our own editorial decisions, choosing stories because they deserve attention rather than because they fit someone else’s agenda.

And that independence is something we want to protect.

To continue doing this, however, we need the support of the people who read and value our work.

Supporting The Highland Times is entirely voluntary, and nobody needs to pay to access our journalism.

If you enjoy reading The Highland Times and would like to help, you can buy us a coffee or make a one off or recurring donation through Donorbox.

There is no minimum expectation, no obligation and certainly no suggestion that anyone should contribute if they cannot afford to.

Readers can also support The Highland Times by subscribing to our Facebook page for just 99p a month, helping us keep independent Highland journalism free for everyone.

Subscribing is entirely voluntary, and whether you choose to support us financially or not, you will always have free access to all our news and content, without paywalls or restrictions.

A small contribution from someone who values our journalism can make a genuine difference, helping us meet the everyday costs of producing and publishing the news.

For those who prefer to support us in other ways, sharing an article, recommending The Highland Times to a friend or helping an important story reach a wider audience is equally appreciated.

Businesses and organisations can also play an important part by advertising with us, reaching our readers while helping sustain independent journalism.

Every donation, every advert placed, every story shared and every recommendation made contributes to keeping this publication moving forward.

We are immensely grateful to the readers, businesses and organisations who already support what we do.

And we want to be clear about something important.

Our commitment to free news is not a temporary promotion or a marketing exercise.

It is part of who we are.

The Highland Times belongs in the daily lives of its readers, not behind a payment screen that determines who can afford to stay informed.

We will continue working to earn your trust, tell stories that matter and hold those making decisions to account.

All we ask is that, if you value having an independent newspaper that everyone can read, you help us keep it that way.

Because good journalism has a cost, but access to the news should not depend on your ability to pay.