Ministers accused of politically ‘ motivated attack’ on the BBC
THE BBC could be forced to ditch English shows in favour of Scottish content, use more Scots journalists on UK news bulletins and face extra scrutiny from MSPs under a radical overhaul unveiled by the SNP.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has also demanded a specific homepage for Scotland on the popular iPlayer – dubbed the ‘Aye Player’ – along with a 50/50 gender split for show presenters and full control of budgets and commissioning.
The Scottish Government’s official policy paper on the BBC’s charter renewal was last night branded a ‘politically-motivated attack’.
As part of the charter renewal, which covers everything from how much the licence fee costs to where it spends its money, the BBC has already proposed examining the balance between UK-wide and Scottish TV news bulletins, opening the door to a ‘Scottish Six’ programme. But the post-referendum Smith Agreement on more powers for Holyrood included a formal consultative role for the Scottish Government.
Miss Hyslop has repeatedly argued for a ‘federal structure’ that would see the BBC’s governing body splintered into national boards, which would then send members to a UK-wide board.
But there are fears devolving more control to Scotland would decimate funding for UK-wide shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, Poldark and Match of the Day. Instead, more money would be spent on Scottish output such as River City, Scot Squad and The Secret Life of Midges.
Scottish Conservative culture spokesman Liz Smith said: ‘ What matters most is that viewers in Scotland are provided with a good range of top quality programmes. Party politics should not come into this and so it is very important that the SNP does not try to bombard audiences with Scottish programmes just because they are Scottish.’
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie added: ‘ This is a politicallymotivated attack on the BBC by nationalists seeking revenge on the broadcaster for not toeing the SNP line during the referendum campaign.’
But the Scottish Government’s policy paper claims that ‘ audiences do not feel that the output of the BBC
‘Revenge for not toeing the SNP line’
in Scotland fully represents their views and interests’.
It calls for additional channels on radio and TV for Scottish viewers and listeners, which as a first step should include a ‘specific iPlayer splash page for Scotland which highlighted Scottish produced/led content’.
It adds: ‘The schedules for BBC One and Two, at a UK network level, would operate as they currently do, but with a greater degree of opt-out for each decentralised unit, with no costs incurred for programmes which are not shown in that area.’
That could lead to a repeat of the backlash faced by rival broadcaster STV, which initially dropped the first series of hit show Downton Abbey. English sport programmes such as Match of the Day would be possible casualties.
Addressing news programmes, the report argues: ‘A more comprehensive approach to news with a greater voice for Scottish journalists on Scottish issues in the UK Network as well as on national and international stories for the Scottish network cannot now be resisted.’
The Scottish Government also believes the proposed new Scottish board – and the UK-wide board – should be ‘ held to account by the Scottish parliament’.
Following criticism of a lack of female comedians on shows such as Mock the Week, the report adds: ‘The Scottish Government believes that the BBC needs to work harder and smarter to achieving 50-50 when it comes to gender equality on our screens and airwaves.’
Miss Hyslop said: ‘ Decentralising control to BBC Scotland will mean commissioning, editorial and budget decisions will more accurately reflect Scottish issues and interests. It could also deliver a significant economic boost to Scotland.’
Total l i cence f ee i ncome f rom Scotland i n 2014- 15 was around £323million.
The BBC spent £ 108million on Scottish content and another £82million on network shows filmed north of the Border such as Mrs Brown’s Boys. The rest went towards UK-wide shows – money that could be lost under the SNP’s proposal.