Public back SNP broadcasting plans

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2009-11-22
SNP Westminster broadcasting spokesperson Pete Wishart MP has today (Sunday) highlighted a poll in the Sunday Times showing public support for the creation of a dedicated Scottish Television Network and called on the London Government to devolve powers over broadcasting to Holyrood.
 
The poll, carried out for the Sunday Times, shows support for a new Scottish Network running at 47% compared to only 18% opposed.  This is welcome news for the SNP Government whose Culture Minister, Michael Russell, outlined the plans for the Network earlier this year. 

Commenting, Mr Wishart said:
 
"This is very welcome news and just confirms the need for a dedicated Scottish network. Scotland is currently being short-changed by the current system and the only way to remedy that is to create a dedicated Scottishchannel. 
 
"A dedicated Scottish Network would be a platform to showcase the talent and skills we have here in Scotland and also create jobs in the process. We have a wealth of talent in the media industry here and they should be able to work here in Scotland.
   
"The SNP Government has laid out plans for the creation of this network, now Westminster must listen to the calls and give Scotland the powers over broadcasting. For too long now they have ignored them, but the longer they ignore the calls the louder they will get".
 
ENDS

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Notes:
   
1. The article in the Sunday Times can be read here: 
 

"Almost half of all voters back SNP plans to replace the BBC with a state-funded Scottish broadcaster in an independent Scotland, according to a poll for The Sunday Times.

"Of the 1,040 people surveyed, 47% said they supported the creation of a Scottish broadcasting service, compared to 18% who were opposed and 35% who were undecided"

2. An Ofcom report in August found that spending on programmes in Scotland had fallen by £13 million last year - the largest drop across the UK.