SNP says control over media more centralised

SCOTTISH Nationalists today accused Labour of seeking to centralise media control even further in London and called for all broadcasting powers held at Westminster to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

In their response to the Government’s draft Communications Bill, they said as a minimum measure, there should be a Scottish representative on the board of the proposed new media regulator Ofcom.

Pete Wishart, SNP culture, media and sport spokesman at Westminster, said: "The real change in media policy that is required is the transfer of power to legislate for broadcasting from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament.

"In the meantime, however, we need to ensure that things are not made even worse than at present.

"Much of the Communications Bill as currently drafted will exclude Scottish concerns, diminish the Scottish voice, and marginalise our producers and directors.

"Scotland needs real representation at the Ofcom top table."