We believe the world is ready for a fresh perspective.
Too often, the news feels like a loop of outrage. We are pushed to pick a side: “Nat” or “Yoon,” “Woke” or “Based.” Complexity is flattened into slogans, and honest debate is replaced by prejudice.
At oorNews, we are opting out of the culture war. We believe independence supporters and unionists need shared constructive realism instead of destructive tribalism.
We are launching this platform for the Lowland, Northern Isles and Ulster Scot, our diaspora, and anyone—regardless of nationality—who shares an open, innovative, and rational outlook on the world. We appeal to those fed up with the tribalism tearing society apart, who want a news source that prioritises truth over prejudice, and harmony over division.
We are about rejecting tribalism without erasing who we are. We believe in being objective, constructive, and brutally honest.
Here is who we are, what we believe, and how you can own a part of this future.
1. Our Philosophy: The Pursuit of Truth
We are not “Centrists,” because the middle ground is often a place of weak compromise. Instead, we are dedicated to Truth.
Evidence Over Ideology: We do not care where a policy idea comes from or who proposes it. We care about one thing: Does it align with reality? We are committed to constructive reporting—we do not just report on problems; we investigate solutions. We test ideas against evidence to find what works, acting as a light for others rather than a platform for grievances.
The “Steel Man” Standard: We pledge to attack the strongest version of an opponent’s argument (the “Steel Man”). We believe that bad ideas are defeated by better arguments, not by censorship.
Integrity in Reporting: We believe that Truth is the foundation of trust. We do not sanitise the news to protect feelings, nor do we twist it to suit a narrative. We report without fear or favour.
2. Our Identity: The Lowland Spirit
We do not view identity as a political weapon, but as a cultural anchor.
We celebrate the unique heritage of the Lowland Scot—a tradition that has always been outwardly looking, industrious, and philosophical. This is the spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment: a mindset that values reason, innovation, and progress.
A Family of Variants: We celebrate the distinct voices of our culture—from the Norn heritage of Orkney and Shetland and the dialects of Caithness, to the deep bonds that link us to Ulster. The Ulster-Scots tradition is not a political football; it is a living branch of our shared tree.
A Rational Outlook: We acknowledge our deep cultural ties with our neighbours in England and our cousins across the North Sea in the Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia. This connection is not defined by borders, but by a shared history of trade and thought. We invite anyone who values this rational, innovative outlook to join us.
3. Our Values: Peace, Liberty, and Human Flourishing
We are guided by a moral compass that seeks the best for all people.
Peace & Progress: We believe the era of conflict must give way to cooperation. We are pacifists who look toward a future of abundance, where technology and innovation bring relief from the scarcities of the past. We will never incite violence nor positively report on deaths of humans.
Mutual Respect & Equality: We believe in a society built on fairness and cooperation. We are committed to a world where open minds and mutual respect leads to the harmony of all people.
Liberty & Responsibility: We believe in democratically regulated free enterprise not just for profit, but as a means to lift communities out of poverty. Innovation is the engine of social progress; it creates the resources we need to care for one another. While we defend the liberty of the individual and freedom of enterprise, we recognise our duty to use that freedom to contribute to the common good.
4. Our Model: The “Finetune” Project
Finally, we believe that the news—and the language we report it in—should belong to you.
We are building a comprehensive English-to-Scots and Scots-variant-to-variant translation engine capable of handling formal prose, from economics to global diplomacy. But we refuse to let this be defined by distant academics. The Scots language belongs to the people of the Lowlands, the Northern Isles, and Ulster.
We need you to build it.
We have launched finetune.oornews.co.uk. We are calling on fluent speakers of Doric, Lallans, Orcadian, Shetlandic, Caithness, and Ulster-Scots to join us.
The “Wordcount” System: We are pioneering a model of Data Ownership. When you contribute translations, verify grammar, or correct our database, your contribution is tracked via your “wordcount.”
Shared Prosperity: This is not unpaid labour. As oorNews grows and generates advertising revenue, we are committed to sharing that revenue with the community that built the database. The Content Creators (journalists) and the Database Owners (you) will share in the success of the platform.
A Call to Action
We are looking for Hobby Journalists, Language Activists, and Video Creators.
If you want a news source that respects your intelligence, aims for the highest moral standards, and helps preserve our language for the digital age, we want you.
We are oorNews. This is the signal you have been waiting for.
Join the movement at [finetune.oornews.co.uk]