Highland MSP speaks out in support of STV North

Far North MSP David Green has used a debate in the Scottish Parliament to condemn the decision by Ofcom to approve proposals by STV which will allow the station to get rid of its north of Scotland news programme.

Speaking in a debate in the Scottish Parliament, Mr Green said:

"Like many Members, I am concerned that the centralisation of STV North is not simply a staffing decision or a cost-saving measure. It represents a fundamental change in how the north of Scotland is represented on television, and risks weakening one of the few remaining sources of consistent, dedicated regional journalism for our part of the country.

"For more than 60 years, STV North has provided coverage across the north of Scotland, including my constituents in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross.

"As the Save STV North campaign has highlighted, it has not only delivered news bulletins, but also provided scrutiny of local decision-making and ensured that issues affecting our communities are visible beyond their immediate area.

"For those of us who represent sparsely populated communities in the north of Scotland, and who are all too familiar with the challenge of ensuring those voices are heard by governments that can feel distant, that role has been crucial.
"That concern was strongly reflected in evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster. Nick McGowan-Lowe of the National Union of Journalists warned that the proposals are not a minor restructuring but a significant downgrade of regional journalism. He argued that moving production away from Glasgow would undermine journalists’ ability to cover breaking news in real time.

"Instead, he suggested that output would increasingly rely on pre-recorded material, meaning events in the north could be missed or delayed as a result of the erosion of journalism embedded in our communities.

"As he put it: “You would see the cultural centre of Scotland shifted down towards the M80.”

"There is therefore a wider responsibility on this Parliament and on the Scottish Government not only to provide reassurance, but also to actively support opportunities within the wider creative industries sector.

"It is hard to come to any other conclusion than that the centralisation of STV North has let down staff - who we are aware are reporting serious concerns about wellbeing that must be address - and the communities they serve."

ENDS