The online campaign opposing cuts to BBC Scotland radio programming (specifically Newsweek Scotland and the Janice Forsyth Show) came to a head today with a small demonstration outside Holyrood. The campaign delegation submitted a letter and evidence for consideration by the Education and Culture committee to SNP MSPs Joan McAlpine MSP, Jean Urquart MSP and Rod Campbell MSP.
The date of the demonstration was intended to coincide with the presence of Lord Patten, chairman of the BBC Trust who was at Holyrood today to meet with First Minister, Alex Salmond. Lord Patten was unavailable to comment or counter the accusations levelled at him or the BBC by the campaigners.
As part of the BBC cuts it has been announced that Newsweek Scotland and the Janice Forsyth Show, among others, are to bear the brunt of the axe that might see 30 journalists and production staff made redundant at BBC Scotland. Similar cuts have been proposed across the BBC.
Upon massive public outcry, Lord Patten announced a review of cuts to take place in England, with no mention of reviewing cuts made to BBC Scotland. The Save Newsweek Scotland campaign has accused the BBC of “dumbing down of the news agenda” as evidenced by cuts made to the programme.
Under the proposed plans, Newsweek Scotland is to be absorbed into a newly created offering called Good Morning Scotland Saturday, which campaigners say will not allow for the same “quality, interest and intellectual rigour” as was previously offered. The Janice Forsyth Show is set to be replaced with sport chat shows, which campaigners argue already saturate BBC Scotland schedules.
John Boothman, head of Current Affairs and News at BBC Scotland, was thoroughly grilled by MSPs of the Education and Culture Committee on 24 January 2012 (video). His general defensiveness and obfuscating led the committee to summon Ken McQuarrie, director of BBC Scotland, to appear before the committee too. Campaigners express their frustration that the unclear and obtuse remarks offered by the BBC to the committee are also offered as replies to individual enquiries regarding the two programmes to be cut. When asked if she supported the feelings of the Save Newsweek Scotland campaigners, Joan McAlpine MSP answered:- “I support them fully, I think most people do.”
The Save Newsweek Scotland campaign appears to be gaining public and political momentum. The demonstration outside Parliament today was small, perhaps partly due to the speed of organisation, the day of the week and the poor weather. Bigger demonstrations are being planned. You can keep fully up to date with the campaign and any further developments through their Facebook group.
Photos by Vikki Nye
