THE BBC “is not delivering for Scotland”, it has been claimed as fresh calls were made for a new flagship news show north of the Border.
Former BBC Breakfast presenter John Nicolson, who is the SNP’s culture spokesman, said audiences and BBC staff wanted greater control over programming in Scotland.
The SNP has tabled an amendment to the new draft agreement for the next BBC charter to “deliver maximum devolution of broadcasting” for Scotland, including its own six o’clock news bulletin, the so-called Scottish Six.
It would replace the current format of 30 minutes of UK news followed by 30 minutes of Reporting Scotland, often presented by Jackie Bird.
Labour’s Ian Murray suggested Mr Nicolson was interfering politically in the BBC – but he insisted it was “perfectly reasonable” to argue for “structural changes” such as full devolution of broadcasting.
Mr Nicolson said: “I believe in the concept of a separate Scottish Six, but at that point politicians should stand back and allow the BBC to decide the form of that programme and the content of the programme.” He added: “For a significant period of time it’s been clear the BBC is not delivering for Scotland in the way it should be.
“There lies a problem, I think, at the heart of BBC Scotland.
“Without a fairer share of the licence fee, without greater control over its own budget, without the authority to make commissioning decisions, BBC Scotland too often relies on the decisions of executives in London.
“Meaningful editorial and financial control must be transferred north of the Border.”
He said audience satisfaction surveys showed Scottish viewers did not think BBC programming represented their views, both in current affairs or drama.
He added: “You don’t have to take my word for it – that’s what the BBC says itself, and it fully acknowledges that this is a problem.”
Mr Murray, Labour’s former Scottish secretary, suggested the amendment was “pushing the Government to make a decision about the Scottish Six, rather than leaving it in the hands of the editorial commissioning of the BBC”.
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