FIRST Minister John Swinney confirmed that the Scottish Government will “engage” with STV and trade unions after the broadcaster announced a series of job cuts.
During First Minister’s Questions (FMQs), Swinney was asked about the cuts and the impact the loss of local journalism will have on Scotland’s democracy.
Rona Mackay, SNP MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, asked the First Minister what steps he and the Scottish Government are taking to “protect journalism jobs in Scotland”.
Swinney said: “Local journalism is absolutely important for the scrutiny of public policy at all levels in Scottish society, so I was concerned to hear this morning of the reports about STV and also the news recently about the Daily Record.
“The Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson has indicated to committee this morning that he will engage with STV, Ofcom and the trade unions to highlight our concerns, and we will give whatever assistance we can in this respect.
“It is absolutely a vital part of our democracy that we have sustained media engagement, and the Government will do all that it can to support those affected. Of course, this will be a very worrying time for all of the affected employees, and they have my understanding and my support.”
Douglas Lumsden, Tory MSP for North East Scotland, also raised the issue of STV potentially axing its Aberdeen news programme.
Swinney answered: “I understand one of the components of the STV proposals is that the Aberdeen news programme would potentially cease broadcasting.
“I do acknowledge that there are very different issues that affect communities around the country, and STV are very successful to reflecting those different issues in different parts of the country.”
He added that concerns about the programme being cut, pending Ofcom approval, will be “reflected in the representations made by the Cabinet Secretary” on the matter.
His comments follow an announcement made by STV on Thursday morning, where the broadcaster revealed up to 60 jobs were set to be cut as it aims to seek a total of £3 million in savings.
Rufus Radcliffe, STV chief executive, blamed "changing viewer behaviour" for the planned cuts.
It comes after newspaper publisher Reach plc – which owns the Daily Record – announced plans to cut more than 300 jobs in its biggest restructure to date.
