Response to Ofcom consultation.
The First Minister has expressed deep concerns over proposals to
end the STV North tea-time news bulletin.
The Scottish Government's response to Ofcom's consultation on
STV's request to change its regional programming commitments
strongly urges consideration of the long-term implications this
would have on local public service broadcasting in Scotland.
There has been significant public and political pressure to
reverse the plans to end the STV North news bulletin.
First Minister said that removing public
service obligations to deliver regional news would set a
‘damaging precedent'.
Mr Swinney commented:
“The Scottish Government strongly believes that these proposals
would not achieve the vital aim to ensure audiences are
well-served with high-quality news across Scotland.
“Regional news coverage and bulletins are essential for
democratic accountability and local representation; maintaining
audience trust and engagement and supporting regional journalism
and sustaining jobs.
“It is vital that high-quality, independent local bulletins are
preserved, editorial centres outside Glasgow are maintained, and
Scottish-based jobs and equitable news access across Scotland are
safeguarded.
“We strongly urge Ofcom to consider the long-term implications
for plurality, local democracy, and the health of Scotland's
media landscape before removing current public service
obligations. Weakening these obligations would set a damaging
precedent and accelerate the decline of public interest
journalism in Scotland.”
Background
The Scottish Government's response to Ofcom's consultation can be
found here: STV regional programming
commitments: Ofcom consultation - gov.scot
