BBC Scotland "Short Changing" Licence Payers Over Coverage of Pro-Independence Events says Neale Hanvey MP

ALBA Westminster Group Leader Neale Hanvey MP has condemned the BBC for its failure to cover the All Under One Banner march and rally in Edinburgh on Saturday 1 October and has accused them of “short changing” licence payers and “failing in their fundamental duty as a public service broadcaster”.

In a statement said:

“The failure of the BBC to cover the All Under One Banner march and rally in Edinburgh on Saturday yet again calls into question their impartiality as a supposed public service broadcaster.  This was a significant democratic event which the public have every right to expect would be covered alongside similar events in Dublin and Cardiff.

“Scottish licence fee payers continue to be short changed by a BBC failing in their fundamental duty as a public service broadcaster.  It is not just supporters of Independence who are entitled to be aggrieved but anyone who values impartial journalism and democracy.

“Whether this is an editorial decision to suppress coverage of a pro-independence march and rally or simply a lack of weekend resources is unclear, but either way it is wholly unacceptable.  It stands in stark contrast to the wall to wall coverage of the monarchy as an institution which the BBC appear to think is above scrutiny or balanced discussion on any of their channels.

“I am calling on the Scottish Government’s Culture Secretary and the BBC Board Member for Scotland to raise this matter directly and urgently with BBC senior management and to demand assurances that balanced coverage of pro-independence events such as this are fairly reported. Scotland's democratic expression must not be seen to be suppressed by the BBC going forward. If they are, the case for full devolution of broadcasting becomes irrefutable.”