Ofcom is being urged by the leaders of Scotland’s five main political parties to block STV’s proposal to scrap a dedicated news programme for the north of Scotland.
The company wants to build a new programme in Glasgow, serving the north with opt-outs, saying it needs to save £3 million and change the way it delivers news. It will mean 60 job cuts.
A letter from Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce chief executive Russell Borthwick, setting out opposition to the move, is backed by John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, Russell Findlay, Alex Cole-Hamilton and Ross Greer.
The planned changes would replace the long-standing regional bulletin with a single, pan-Scotland news programme from Glasgow, with regional opt-outs.
The letter describes the move as being “of grave concern to businesses, communities and elected representatives across the region”, warning that it “risks depriving a major economic and cultural area of Scotland of the representation it requires and deserves.”
It goes on to highlight the north’s “pivotal role in the nation’s success”, adding that “it is therefore essential that the issues, achievements and challenges of this region continue to receive proportionate airtime and coverage.”
Mr Borthwick said: “This is an unprecedented, cross-party intervention which demonstrates the strength of feeling about this issue.
“The north of Scotland plays a pivotal role in the nation’s economic and cultural life, and it is essential that its stories continue to be told on a dedicated platform.
“STV’s proposal is inconsistent with the principles of public service broadcasting and would materially disadvantage audiences in the north.
“Trusted, regional journalism has never been more important, and we’re urging Ofcom to use its regulatory powers to review – and ultimately block – these changes.”
The letter also warns that the planned reduction in output would “weaken the diversity and plurality of Scotland’s media landscape at a time when trusted local journalism has never been more important.”
It concludes: “This issue transcends party politics. It goes to the heart of fair representation for communities across Scotland.”
STV’s chief executive Rufus Radcliffe, together with managing director of audience, news, regulation and audio, Bobby Hain, last week defended the decision.
Presenting their case to MSPs, they said the company was operating in a “very difficult macro-economic environment” in which profits had fallen and advertisers were not spending.
Mr Radcliffe told the Culture Committee: “No one is tuning in at 6pm to see what has happened,” he admitted, explaining that viewers were now getting access to online news before scheduled broadcasts. He added that “the speed of change in viewing behaviour is getting faster.”
He outlined the case for a shift to other platforms, while a new 6pm programme will be launched that will take these changes into account and how news is delivered via opt-outs from Glasgow to serve the north.
Mr Hain said Scotland was well served compared with Wales and Northern Ireland which have half the opt-outs of Scotland, and the regions of England where it is about a quarter.
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