A so-called “Scottish Six” evening news programme should replace the current BBC tea-time setup, a House of Commons committee has said.
In a report published on Tuesday, the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee said television should follow the example already set by radio with a show anchored and broadcast north of the border with a running order of Scottish, UK and international stories.
The SNP welcomed the recommendations but the Conservatives said it could serve as an “opportunity to shove propaganda down the throats of a dinner-time viewing public”.
Acting committee chairman Damian Collins said: “The six o’clock news in Scotland is currently split into two: the main news stories, whether international or relating to the UK (in whole or in part), are presented from London, while Scottish news is presented from Glasgow.
“In the post-devolution era, this can lead to network news programmes transmitted from London leading on several purely English stories – for instance on health, justice or education.
“The BBC has already acknowledged that there is dissatisfaction with this situation. However, we believe that it is perfectly reasonable for editorial decisions on the running order for television news broadcasts in Scotland to be made in Scotland, and broadcast from Scotland, as they are already for radio.”
The report is the response to the BBC White Paper, which will form the basis of the BBC’s next 11 year Charter.
It has been reported that three pilots are due to be conducted by the BBC in the autumn. These are: an expanded and enhanced Reporting Scotland; a full hour of Scottish news; and broadcasting segments from studios in Glasgow and London.
John Nicolson, the SNP member of the cross-party grouping who has attacked any “split” in broadcasting between Scotland and England, urged the corporation to “plan and deliver” a Scottish Six as soon as possible.
He said: “BBC Scotland should now deliver a high quality six o’clock television news programme for Scottish audiences with a broader remit of national, UK, and international stories – in the way that Radio Scotland or any newspaper already does.
“This cross party committee found that for a ‘Scottish Six’ to work it needs to be edited and presented from Scotland. The BBC must resist any hybrid options with a parallel studio and co-presenter in London for non-Scottish stories. As the Committee concluded – this would be both needlessly extravagant, and patronising.
“Too often network news programmes transmitted from London cover purely English stories – for instance on health, justice or education – which do not reflect or report the different situations across the UK post devolution. The BBC has already acknowledged that there is dissatisfaction with this situation.”
Scottish Conservative culture spokesman Jackson Carlaw said many of the recommendations made were “worthy of consideration”.
But he warned: “I fully expect the SNP to push for as much as it can with the Scottish Six proposals.
“Nationalists will very much see this as an opportunity to shove propaganda down the throats of a dinner-time viewing public north of the border.
“But we must remember that many people are very happy with the current set-up, and would rather watch UK-wide news covering the whole world, than an extension of the current Reporting Scotland.
“So the quality of any production will be absolutely key if a Scottish Six is to be a success; it should focus directly on hard news and not trivia.
“If it did, it could become a key asset in holding any Scottish Government to account.”
Ian Murray, Scottish Labour’s Westminster spokesman, said: “The BBC is one of the UK’s most respected and valued institutions. It is vital that its independence and editorial integrity is maintained.
“With new powers coming to Holyrood, any proposed changes to the six o clock news must balance the need for more in-depth Scottish news coverage with the continuing demand for relevant news stories from the rest of the UK and internationally.
“Whatever the format, the priority must always be on delivering high-quality, informative output.”
