STV shenanigans

As a director of a small independent TV production company I regard the proposed reclassification of STV's status – to be that of both "broadcaster" and "independent producer" – as an affront. It reeks of small-town redneck shenanigans that is not worthy of our nation.

Independent should mean independent. STV must not be allowed to be both broadcaster and pitch for the independent quota. It is like the chief of police running a newspaper, running for parliament and acting as procurator fiscal.

As the creator of Balamory and many other programmes, I am very aware of the climate in which creativity and originality can flourish. The creed behind the commissioning of programmes from independent production companies was to give value through competition, encourage creativity and diversity and separate it from the corporate. Here we have STV as a broadcaster breaking all the rules to become an independent for fiscal gain. It would be shameful, therefore, that Scotland would lead in this fundamental change in the broadcast industry and allow the reclassification of STV's status to take place.

BRIAN JAMESON

Tattiemoon

West George Street, Glasgow