Salmond wrong to host show on Russian TV says Sturgeon
●First Minister and SNP distance themselves from ex party leader
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon took the unusual step of criticising her predecessor Alex Salmond yesterday for hosting a weekly chat show on the Kremlin-backed Russian broadcaster RT.
Ms Sturgeon and the SNP distanced themselves from Mr Salmond’s controversial decision to use the channel, described by critics as a propaganda outlet for President Vladimir Putin.
The First Minister said she would have advised her predecessor against appearing on RT and revealed she had not been consulted about his plans to work with the broadcaster on the The Alex Salmond Show.
Mr Putin has ploughed millions into the television station which has been attacked for promoting a prokremlin view of world affairs.
It has faced many accusations of bias including complaints from members of its own staff who resigned over its stance on the Ukraine crisis.
Ms Sturgeon suggested her predecessor should have arranged to appear on another channel and said that she would not “shy away” from
criticising the Russian government.
Ms Sturgeon said: “I am sure Alex’s show will make interesting viewing – however, his choice of channel would not have been my choice.
“Of course, Alex is not currently an elected politician and is free to do as he wishes – but had I been asked, I would have advised against RT and suggested he seek a different channel to air what I am sure will be an entertaining show.
“Neither myself nor the SNP will shy away from criticising Russian policy when we believe it is merited.”
As criticism of the former First Minister mounted, a SNP spokesman issued a statement, which contained withering criticism of Mr Putin’s regime and which underlined that the party had “no connection” to its former leader’s media career.
“This is entirely a matter for Alex Salmond, who is not currently an elected politician and as such is free to take on broadcasting and other opportunities of his own choosing, just as those from other parties have done,” the spokesman said.
“The SNP has no connection to Alex’s company or his media interests. The SNP has regularly expressed concern over actions by the Russian government, including reports of persecution on the grounds of race and sexuality, attacks on journalists and concerns about the integrity of the democratic process, and we will continue to pursue these concerns.”
Mr Salmond will front the show, while the former SNP MP Tasmina Ahmed-sheikh will produce the programme and take on the role as a roving reporter.
The show produced by Slainte Meida Ltd will be aired at 7:30am 6:30pm and 11:30pm on Thursdays.
Other SNP figures have expressed their distaste at Mr Salmond’s choice of broadcaster.
The SNP MP for West Dunbartonshire Martin Docherty retweeted a tweet saying: “The Kremlin’s RT and Sputnik are ‘tool of misinformation’.”
The move has also drawn criticism from across the polit- ical spectrum. Scottish Tory leader Davidson said on Twitter: “It’s not often I feel sorry for @Nicolasturgeon, but Salmond taking the Kremlin’s rouble on Russia Today? Ooft.”
Her deputy, Jackson Carlaw, said: “It’s clear that Alex Salmond’s moral compass now points towards Vladimir Putin’s corrupt regime in the Kremlin. It beggars belief that a man who led Scotland for seven years should be reduced to a puppet of Russia’s deeply damaging propaganda unit.”
Scottish Labour leadership candidate Anas Sarwar said: “It demonstrates an astonishing lack of judgment for a former first minister to host a show on Kremlin-backed TV. Alex Salmond’s decision to become Putin’s puppet in the UK is deeply troubling.”
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said Mr Salmond “fancies himself as the Michael Parkinson of Putin’s propaganda channel”, while Liberal Democrat MSP Alex Cole-hamilton challenged the former first minister to use the new programme to interview opponents of the Putin regime such as punk band Pussy Riot.
Appearing on RT, Mr Salmond described criticism as “bizarre” pointing out that more than 100 MPS across parties had appeared on the channel.
“I found that this channel allows me to express my views without fear or favour,” he said.
“Therefore a programme produced by Slainte productions is broadcast on RT should be able to do that as well. Secondly there is an underlying question about freedom of speech and are all these other media outlets so worried that they won’t allow things to be shown on RT?
“Do they think their viewers are going to desert in their millions? What exactly is the problem they have with it? If they don’t find a problem with content, why should they find a problem with being on the channel?”
Mr Salmond has launched a bid to become chairman of the board of Johnston Press, publishers of The Scotsman.