BBC Scotland should re-vamp its news coverage, and have the resources to make programmes which ensure Scotland is properly represented on the entire network, a new review finds.
In its annual review, the BBC Audience Council Scotland, a body which advises the BBC Trust, says that news for audiences in Scotland should not consist of Scottish news alone, but should also carry UK and foreign stories.
It also raised criticism of the Gaelic channel, BBC Alba, which "some perceive to be diluted by English content."
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The annual review by the council says: "Evolving BBC news provision for Scotland to match contemporary audience needs is now long overdue.
"There has been some audience comment that changes to BBC news in Scotland are being proposed in response to a specific political agenda. "However, the Council believes that the format of the 6-7pm news hour on BBC One should be updated so that it accurately represents contemporary Scotland to its citizens."
The review comes the day after Ken MacQuarrie, BBC Scotland director and Gary Smith, its new head of news, appeared before Westminster's Culture, Media and Sport Committee and discussed plans for a new "Scottish Six" programme.
They said various models were to be trialled again this summer and a decision for a new programme would be made by the end of the year.
The audience council also said it felt that BBC Scotland "should have the resources and the authority to commission network programmes of Scottish resonance to ensure that Scotland is properly represented in content on the BBC networks."
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They say it should also "review its approach to impartiality to reflect the increasing sophistication of contemporary audiences".
The audience council, which holds meetings throughout Scotland including Elgin, Falkirk, Edinburgh, Skye, Glasgow and Stornoway, also said that although the Gaelic channel BBC Alba increased its viewers among the target audience of Gaelic speakers, there were also concerns.
It says: "The Council’s engagement activity indicated some disquiet in the target audience about the Gaelic identity of the channel, which some perceive to be diluted by English language content.
"Overall, the channel needs more funding to boost the proportion of originations in the schedule."
A spokesman said: “BBC Alba has been an outstanding success since its launch in 2008 and continues to appeal strongly to both Gaelic and non-Gaelic speaking viewers alike.
"The launch of Gaelic drama Bannan has been positive for the channel while our factual, music and sport programmes are also very popular, but we do acknowledge that there continues to be gaps in the schedule which relies too heavily on repeat material.
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"BBC Alba continues to place the utmost care on promoting the Gaelic language in its content and is committed to ensuring that the integrity of Gaelic is maintained whilst ensuring the channel is accessible for all."
BBC Trustee for Scotland, Bill Matthews said that it had been a particularly strong year for Scottish drama.
He added: "It’s clear that Scottish audiences continue to have a strong appetite for programmes that reflect modern Scotland and their own experiences, and that extends to the BBC’s news and journalism.
"As the new BBC Charter sets the course for the corporation for the next decade, the BBC must do more to meet audience expectations, adapt to new realities, and reflect and represent contemporary Scotland."
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