Plans to regulate the media in England and Wales could "pose a potential threat" to the freedom of the press in Scotland, the culture secretary has confirmed.

Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop made the comments as she announced the Scottish Government would not pursue any new measures to regulate the press.

The decision comes after the closure of a consultation by the UK Government on introducing section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 in England and Wales.

If introduced, section 40 would mean publishers would have to pay the legal costs of any legal action against them if they had not already signed up to a state "approved regulator".

Many national newspapers are running campaigns against its introduction.

Press regulation is a devolved matter, meaning any moves by the UK Government would not apply in Scotland.

Despite this, the Scottish Government believe it may pose a threat to press freedom in Scotland.

Hyslop said: "A diverse and independent media is vital to sustaining a flourishing democracy.

"Any movement by the UK Government to action Section 40 must carefully consider potential threats to the health of our democratic life and to the freedom of the press.

"We are committed to ensuring the practices which led to the Leveson Inquiry in the first place do not happen again and we believe that all individuals should have the ability to seek redress when they feel they have been the victim of press malpractice."

She added: "However, the context of press regulation in Scotland is quite distinct from that in England and Wales and section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act does not apply under Scots Law.

"We have not introduced statutory measures to incentivise participation in the regulatory system, as has happened in Westminster, and I can confirm we have no plans to do so.

"Despite press regulation being devolved, Scottish local and national media could be impacted by any decision to enact section 40 in England and Wales, and it is my view that the measures consulted on by the UK Government would put at risk the viability of much of our independent media, particularly local newspapers, and pose a potential threat to freedom of the press."

The culture secretary said she has written to UK Government ministers reminding them that any move to enact section 40 will not extend to Scotland.