Boss of Celtic Connections attacks BBC

Published on 16/02/2012 01:07

The organiser of Glasgow’s biggest music festival is leading attacks on BBC Scotland for axing another popular music programme.

Donald Shaw, artistic director of Celtic Connections, has joined leading singers Karine Polwart and Julie Fowlis, playwright David Greig and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch in the criticism of the scrapping of Mary Ann Kennedy’s weekly programme after Janice Forsyth’s radio show was also ditched.

The BBC has also been accused of an anti-women bias by campaigners, who have set up a petition and Facebook page demanding a reprieve for Ms Kennedy’s Global Gathering.

Mr Shaw said: “Another window to the world of great living music closes.” Ms Polwart said: “BBC Radio Scotland is supposed to be developing and supporting culturally distinctive programming and aiming to attract more women listeners to a station whose listening demographic is already skewed against them.”