SNP: control of broadcasting key to independence
A SENIOR Nationalist MSP yesterday claimed that gaining control of broadcasting will help the party secure independence.
Former Culture Minister Linda Fabiani, who led the SNP’s negotiations on the Smith Commission, said that devolution of broadcasting is ‘crucial’ in helping Scotland become independent.
The comments were criticised by opponents, who said it is clear that the Nationalists want to use the BBC as a ‘plaything’ to promote their political cause.
Yesterday, the BBC’s independence referendum coverage came under fire amid claims by SNP activists that it was biased against the Yes campaign.
And Miss Fabiani said: ‘Of course Scotland should control its own broadcasting, of course Scotland should be an independent nation.
‘We have to move forward in every way we possibly can to get Scotland to achieve that independence and broadcasting is crucial to that.
‘We recognised that in 2007 when we became a minority government.’
The SNP conference in Aberdeen yesterday passed a motion calling for the UK Government to recommend that a new Scottish TV channel and radio station are introduced as part of the BBC’s Charter Renewal process.
It also said that broadcasting must be devolved to Holyrood.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said she wanted ‘a bold and radical alternative to the out-of-touch structure and decision making of the BBC’. She said: ‘The BBC is barely playing catch up with devolution, let alone leading from the front. Their news and current affairs does not satisfy the audience, with over 50 per cent saying it doesn’t reflect Scotland properly.
‘We propose a federal structure for the BBC, for governance, for editorial and management and commissioning, internal transfers of decision-making and budgets can and should happen. Scotland needs a better service from the BBC, Scotland demands a better service from the BBC and Scotland must have a better service from the BBC.’
John Nicolson, a former BBC news presenter who is now Nationalist MP for East Dunbartonshire, said he saw the Corporation as ‘like a lover that has strayed’, adding: ‘I want to see it return, I want to see it be faithful, I want to remember the old days and look forward to promising new ones.’
The current charter review process presents a ‘golden opportunity at the moment to change the BBC’, he said.
‘We have a chance to shape it, and we’re demanding some changes. We want to see the full devolution of broadcasting to Scotland, we need more investment, we need more jobs, we need a separate Scottish Six o’clock News.’
Scottish Labour culture spokesman Baker said: ‘The BBC is not the plaything of any politician and it is certainly not a vehicle for anyone’s political campaign.
‘The future of the BBC should be led by audiences, not politicians. Scottish Labour wants to see a stronger BBC Scotland with more investment in programming and services here.’
‘Scotland needs a better
service from the BBC’