‘Scottish’ TV productions mislabelled

Television productions are being mislabelled as Scottish in order to meet broadcasting quotas, MSPS have heard.

Holyrood’s culture committee was told of instances of “brass plating” by production firms attempting to meet the criteria for “out of London” programming. It heard evidence that a more robust system was needed to ensure the requirements were not seen as a “box-ticking” exercise.

David Smith, national representative for Scotland at trade association Pact, said Ofcom should be more proactive in auditing information about Scottish productions.

He said: “An element of spot checking, a bit more detail required on that form, an undertaking by the production company and the broadcaster that it is legal, decent, honest and true, that this is authentic, that they have met the spirit as well as the letter of the rules, and then Ofcom’s ability to check on that.

“Ofcomisnotaproactivesystem, it is a reactive system. If you raise a complaint, Ofcom investigates. Maybe that has to change.”

Bruce Malcolm, head of service development at BBC Scotland, said that broadcasters relied on the evidence provided to them by production companies.

He said: “If these are not being filled in correctly or dishonestly, then that’s another issue entirely that we would take very seriously if we found that out.”