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Independence would 'devastate BBC'

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    Independence would 'devastate BBC'

    Nice try BBC. Blame your dismal quality on the referendum. You're 100% responsible for wasting the income of license fee payers.


    BBC News - Scottish independence: 'Yes' vote would 'devastate' broadcasting


    Scottish independence: 'Yes' vote would 'devastate' broadcasting

    20 August 2014 Last updated at 09:07 GMT
    BBC signThe future of the BBC is being debated as part of the Scottish independence referendum
    An independence "Yes" vote would break up the BBC with "devastating" consequences for Scottish broadcasting, pro-Union figures have claimed.

    The prediction was made by shadow Scottish secretary Margaret Curran and former BBC director general Lord Birt.

    The Scottish government's independence White Paper says a new public service broadcaster, the Scottish Broadcasting Service, would be set up.

    It adds that Scotland would have "ongoing access to BBC services".

    But Ms Curran told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme there would be a poorer broadcast offering for people north of the border if there was Scottish independence.

    Separately, Lord Birt wrote in The Guardian that a "Yes" vote would bring "consequences" for broadcasting in Scotland and the BBC as a whole.

    What are the issues around broadcasting?

    bank of screens
    BBC Scotland correspondent Jamie McIvor looks at the future of broadcasting if there were to be an independent Scotland. He writes that the Scottish government says viewers would still be able to watch programmes like EastEnders and Doctor Who. "No" campaigners argue that Scots would receive a poorer service if independence was voted for on 18 September.

    Follow all the latest news, views and analysis about broadcasting and the referendum by going to the issues section of our Scotland Decides page.
    Ms Curran said: "The proposals are to take Scotland out of the BBC and replace it with a new state broadcaster and I think that would be bad for viewers and I think that would be very bad for the industry in Scotland because essentially it would lead to a higher licence fee or lower quality.

    "Currently we put £300m in through our licence fee but get £3bn back."

    In a speech in Glasgow later she is expected to say: "Alex Salmond says that independence will bring new powers over broadcasting to the Scottish Parliament.

    "But the first - and only - way he proposes using these powers is to get rid of an organisation that has the support of the people of Scotland and has served Scotland well for nine decades.

    On air signMargaret Curran believes a "Yes" vote would lead to a poorer broadcasting service
    "This would have a devastating impact, not just on people across the country who want to keep BBC content, but the thousands of people whose companies rely on the BBC for work."

    However, Blair Jenkins, the chief executive of the pro-independence campaign Yes Scotland and a former head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland, accused Ms Curran of misrepresenting the "exciting future for broadcasting and the wider creative industries in an independent Scotland".

    He said: "BBC programmes and services will continue to be available to audiences in Scotland as they are to audiences in Ireland and other European countries. To suggest otherwise is the classic Project Fear approach - ignore the evidence from elsewhere and dream up dismal predictions."

    Blair JenkinsBlair Jenkins, a former head of BBC Scotland news, says there is an "exciting future" for broadcasting in an independent Scotland
    Lord BirtLord Birt, a former director general of the BBC, expressed concerns about broadcasting if there is a Yes vote in the referendum
    He added: "After independence, the television licence fee income raised in Scotland will stay in Scotland. That means many more programmes and many more jobs.

    "The new Scottish Broadcasting Service will work very closely with the BBC on jointly commissioning programmes and sharing resources where appropriate. For Scottish viewers and listeners, it really will be the best of both worlds."

    'Many consequences'
    Ms Curran's speech comes the day after former BBC director general Lord Birt wrote in The Guardian that "one way or another, after independence, Scottish viewers would have to pay to receive BBC services".

    Under a headline reading: "Scottish independence would have a devastating impact on the BBC", Lord Birt said: "There would be many consequences if Scotland were to become independent but let us be clear what they would be for the BBC, and for broadcasting in Scotland and in the rest of the UK."

    He went on to say: "Those who will vote for independence identify and expect many gains. But many of the advantages that the most creative and inspiring talents in Scotland have enjoyed for 300 years - of making a massive impact on a big stage to global acclaim - will be lost."

    A referendum on whether Scotland should become independent is to take place
    People resident in Scotland will be able to take part in the vote, answering the "yes/no" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
    The referendum will take place on Thursday, 18 September
    Go to the BBC's Scotland Decides page for analysis, background and explainers on the independence debate.
    And you can follow the debate on social media by tweeting @bbcscotlandnews; you can find us on Facebook and email us at [email protected]
    Voters in Scotland go to the polls on Thursday, 18 September, when they will be asked the "Yes/No" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
    "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark Twain

    #2
    Be glad to see the back of both
    How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think

    Comment


      #3
      Don't worry you'll still be able to get deep fried mars bars, live will go on
      Socialism is inseparably interwoven with totalitarianism and the abject worship of the state.

      No Socialist Government conducting the entire life and industry of the country could afford to allow free, sharp, or violently-worded expressions of public discontent.

      Comment


        #4
        How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't think

        Comment


          #5
          soon King Alex will declare that Scotland will share the BBC just like the pound.
          Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Troll View Post
            "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience". Mark Twain

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by vetran View Post
              soon King Alex will declare that Scotland will share the BBC just like the pound.
              I'm waiting for him to announce he'll be selling the Trident subs too.
              ǝןqqıʍ

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by DiscoStu View Post
                I'm waiting for him to announce he'll be selling the Trident subs too.
                just think of the Mars Bars he could buy with that.
                Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by vetran View Post
                  just think of the Mars Bars he could buy with that.
                  I hope he'd save a little for a deep fat fryer and some batter.
                  ǝןqqıʍ

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by vetran View Post
                    soon King Alex will declare that Scotland will share the BBC just like the pound.
                    You didn't read the report.

                    "The Scottish government's independence White Paper says a new public service broadcaster, the Scottish Broadcasting Service, would be set up"

                    I worked in Dublin and could watch BBC programmes. I've watched BBC programmes whilst on holiday in Northern France. I'm sure there will be a way to watch them in an Independent Scotland.

                    Comment

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