Fit for broadcast

Published on 28/08/2012 00:00

I doubt whether your letter writers (27 August) actually heard Alex Salmond’s speech on broadcasting.

The First Minister explained that, post-devolution, Westminster control of public service broadcasting in Scotland was out of date in this multi-channel digital age, and that even if Scots opted to remain in the Union, post-2014, control of Scotland’s broadcasting should move north.

He went on to say that “an independent Scotland would build on the existing BBC Scotland infrastructure and staff to create a broadcaster fit for the new Scotland”.

Viewers and listeners will still get access to BBC London’s output just as they do in Ireland.

The BBC is set to lose up to 120 posts at BBC Scotland by 2017 in a push to reduce its budget by 16 per cent.

No wonder the output from the already under-
resourced outpost of the 
London organisation is pretty dreadful at times.

A Scottish Broadcasting Service would create more choice, greater creativity and increased broadcasting jobs in Scotland which is a positive vision rather than the “we’re too wee, too stupid, too poor and too parochial” to do things for ourselves mindset of those opposed to independence for our nation.

Fraser Grant

Warrender Park Road

Edinburgh