‘Serious concern’ over BBC Scotland’s capacity to handle major events as STV announces Scotland Tonight Referendum Special debates
The BBC’s ability to deliver quality programming to cover major events in Scotland is a ‘serious concern’, according to a report published today by the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Culture Committee.
The news comes on the same day it is revealed that STV is set to air a live debate between deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish secretary Michael Moore on the Scottish independent referendum next Thursday.
Committee Convener Stewart Maxwell MSP said: “The next few years in Scotland will be of the utmost importance in our country’s history. It was therefore timely that our Committee carefully examined the state broadcaster’s capacity to cover major events such as the referendum and the Commonwealth Games.
“Our Committee heard conflicting evidence from both sides of the debate about the impact that staffing cuts are having on the organisation. It is of major concern that there does not seem to be a consensus about the scale and impact of these cuts and we remain far from reassured on the BBC’s ability to deliver in-depth coverage at a quality we would expect.”
The committee has now said it will look for regular updates from BBC Scotland every six months.