SNP - We Must Have Gaelic TV Service

macwea · SNP - We Must Have Gaelic TV Service

SNP: WE MUST HAVE GAELIC TV SERVICE

Following the announcement today (Wednesday - 21/11/07) that the BBC Trust (the new body which replaces the BBC Governors) has declined to approve the BBC Executive's plans to launch a tri-media Gaelic Service on grounds that the case for it had not been made out, Angus MacNeil, SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, described the Trust's position as offering a challenge to the Gàidhealtachd.

Speaking following the publication of the Trust's provisional conclusions Mr MacNeil said:

"The Faroe Islands has a community of 48,000, yet supports two dedicated television services, together with three radio stations. I have consistently asked the Government to commit to a transmission date for the new Gaelic service, and have been met with a series of evasions and weasel words designed to leave the BBC lots of wriggle room.

"The Trust indicates that it has found insufficient evidence that the channel will resonate beyond Gaelic's traditional heartland, or attract new speakers to the language. I think that the BBC Trust may have to look a little harder for the evidence required. I hope that there is no one out there who feels they may have been overlooked as the BBC Trust reaches this provisional conclusion.

"I am confident that a genuine attempt to ingather and analyse the evidence will find that a smart, modern, properly-funded channel will attract an audience across Scotland, eager to develop an interest, and perhaps some proficiency, in Gaelic language and culture.

"We need a Gaelic television channel and I am confident that we can mount an unanswerable case to convince the Trust. I am meeting with BBC Trustee for Scotland Jeremy Peat on Monday to put this case to him directly."

Western Isles SNP MSP Alasdair Allan, echoed these sentiments, adding,

"I question the Trust's interim findings and will be making a formal submission saying so. I don't think they fully appreciate the importance of the Gaelic Channel in terms of the BBC's own commitment to cultural diversity.

"The Scottish Government are supporting the channel financially and are confident that it will be up and running once the BBC Trust's objections are overcome.

"Meanwhile I have written to BBC Controller in Scotland, Ken MacQuarrie asking why the BBC did not overcome this hurdle. I know that both programme makers, and the wider Gaelic community are eager to get this situation resolved, and I have today been in touch with Culture Minister Linda Fabiani looking to push things forward. The launch of the Gaelic channel has been delayed often enough, and the BBC Trustees must not be allowed to delay it any further."

FearGallta

Dè tha 'n cogadh ann an Irac no Afganastan a' cosg? Agus de mu dheidhinn na Geamannan Olympic ann an 2012? Tha mi a' smaoineachadh nach bi £18 millean 'sa bhliadhna ro dhaor idir idir airson a' bhith a' cumail beò cànan is cultar nan Gaidheal ann an Alba.
Ma bhios sibh airson sgrìobhadh thuca ro 19mh Dùbhlachd, briogaibh air a' cheangal a leanas:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/consult/open_consultations/gaelic.html

Norseman

Thanks for that FearGallta - I'll be making my views known to the BBC Trust!

GunChleoc

Tapadh leat airson a' cheangail!