PRESS RELEASE
Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus Brendan MacNeil is writing to Ken MacQuarrie, the controller of BBC Scotland and John Boothman, the head of news and current affairs, to protest at the planned dismemberment of the BBC Highland Service, which was decimated in 1993.
Mr MacNeil said: “I am flabbergasted that an area the size of Wales is to lose half to three quarters of its BBC reporting staff. In fact, I wonder if there will be anywhere else in the world as poorly covered by the BBC English language service as the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
“The BBC is savagely cutting its already paltry service in the Highlands and Islands, under the guise of “delivery quality first”. It really has to be asked what if anything they will be delivering now through their English language service. The centralisation of a BBC that is already famous for its south-east of England news bias with anything south of Dover or north of Watford struggling to be reported is now seemingly being replicated by centralisation in Glasgow.
“Scotland needs quality journalists throughout the country. We do not want to suffer more stodgy news with greater and grimmer coverage from a variety of sheriff court buildings within driving distance of BBC Headquarters in Glasgow.
“BBC Highland has on very limited resources, been delivering a quality news service that has been greatly valued by its audience and is should remain unless the BBC are renouncing their claim on all of Scotland.
“My complaint about the BBC over many years is that we have not had a Scottish Six giving us international news from a Scottish perspective and now we are in danger of not getting Scotland news from a Scottish perspective. Licence fee payers in the Highlands and Islands deserve better.”
Perhaps if they weren’t pissing all the money away on Gaelic services, they could afford to have decent coverage that everyone can understand rather than catering for a niche, becoming extinct, market. There are probably more Polish speakers in Scotland than there are Gaelic Speakers, why not give them their own dedicated channel(s)?
I live in Caithness & previously in Glenlivet. I have felt that both areas have been badly served. With these cuts will we ever hear news from our area.
Just ditch that flippin’ Andrea Brymer – stereotypical Scot!
Tina, tut tut. I think you will find the delightful Andrea works for another network which is not supported by the licence payer.
Oh, does she? Sorry
But I still think she should go. If she’s delightful …… words fail me!
Leave the bbc garlic alone, it’s the only channel shewing the fit ba.
Just needs sub titles.
WORDS FAIL YOU THEN TINA