Stevenson Welcomes Scottish Broadcasting Commission

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government of the membership and terms of reference of the new Scottish Broadcasting Commission, established by First Minister Alex Salmond to conduct an independent investigation into the current state of television production and broadcasting in Scotland and define a strategic way forward for the industry.

Mr Stevenson said:

“I am pleased to see that the Scottish Broadcasting Commission has been established so promptly, within a week of it first being announced, and that it contains a number of talented and experienced individuals who bring a wide range of experience from a variety of backgrounds.

“There is no question that the whole picture of Scottish Broadcasting needs to be examined and also needs to take into account the changed political landscape in Scotland following the elections in May.

“Not only that, I am sure the country would benefit from a change in focus in Scottish broadcasting, both by encouraging more Scottish programmes but also by attracting more high-profile programmes and series to be made in Scotland, in the same way that BBC Wales has done with “Dr Who” and “Torchwood”, thus generating income for the industry.

“Last year, we lost our local broadcasting identity in the North-east when Grampian Television was subsumed into STV but the reality was that less and less local programming for the North-east had been made in Aberdeen since the STV takeover in 1998.

“I hope that the Commission will look into case for attracting production companies to Scotland and making Scottish Broadcasting a more innovative and internationally competitive field. It will be good for the country, but it might also bring benefits closer to home.”