PRESS RELEASE FROM GAELIC MEDIA SERVICE
The Gaelic Media Service (GMS) has proposed that a plan by the Scottish Media Group (SMG) to establish an embryonic Gaelic television channel be put on hold pending resolution of the form and funding of a dedicated Gaelic television service. SMG had offered to transmit a weekly post-midnight two-hour block of Gaelic programmes that would initially be broadcast simultaneously on analogue and digital platforms but would cease to be transmitted on analogue once a fully-fledged digital channel is in operation. SMG has also asked Ofcom to relieve them of their obligation to broadcast programmes funded by the Gaelic Media Service during peak viewing periods.
At a meeting of the Gaelic Media Service Board of Directors yesterday it was decided to reject SMG's proposal as it now stands. GMS chairman Neil Fraser said: "We appreciate SMG's support for the establishment of a Gaelic channel. Their proposal adds emphasis to the need for one, but we are not prepared to abandon our current policy not to fund programmes that are broadcast after midnight. To do so would not be in the interest of the Gaelic audience. Our research shows that their greatest frustration with the current system is the transmission of Gaelic programmes at inconvenient viewing times. We would not wish to aggravate that situation further at a time when digital technology presents new opportunities for a more appropriate Gaelic television service than has been available previously."
Mr Fraser conceded that commercial pressures in a multi-channel environment make it more difficult for SMG to maintain the Gaelic presence to which they had committed when they submitted their licence application more than a decade ago. "The prime objective of the Gaelic Media Service is the early establishment of a Gaelic television channel with daily programming," he said. "Until we have greater assurance of the funding, structure and stakeholder commitment that will make such a channel sustainable we are not in a position to pre-empt the ultimate solution that we are seeking, namely an adequately resourced service that will bring a new and welcome dimension to Gaelic broadcasting. There are a number of technical and operational options available that are currently under consideration."
The Gaelic Media Service welcomed the recommendation by the Scottish Parliament's Education Committee this week that "the Scottish Executive clarifies its role with respect to Gaelic broadcasting, the role that Bord na Gaidhlig will play in advising Ministers with regard to Gaelic broadcasting and what efforts it is making to explore the opportunities for additional funding for Gaelic broadcasting."
