APPENDIX 27
Memorandum submitted by the Gaelic Broadcasting
Committee (CCG)
1. The Gaelic Broadcasting Committee [CCG]
welcomes the opportunity to make representations to the Scrutiny
Committee on the Draft Communications Bill published in May 2002.
2. CCG has already welcomed the commitment,
in the policy document accompanying the Draft Communications Bill,
to make a number of reforms to the existing framework for Gaelic
Broadcasting.
3. CCG agrees that the current arrangements
for Gaelic broadcasting are not as efficient as they could be
in delivering a service that meets the legitimate expectations
of Gaelic speakers [CM5508-111 May 2002, p.52]. In particular,
CCG supports the intention for the new Gaelic broadcasting structure
to have powers to develop a "programming strategy in addition
to its current funding role".
4. It is important that the need of the
Gaelic audience for a comprehensive range of programmes at suitable
viewing times is met under the new structural arrangements that
are proposed. To meet the needs of Gaelic speakers in the developing
digital environment, the Gaelic organisations representing their
interests should have the freedom to place a Gaelic service on
the network or networks that are most accessible and convenient
to Gaelic audiences, wherever they are, to guarantee the most
effective service.
5. This would give the organisation the
ability both to respond to the changing needs of the Gaelic community
and to take advantage of changing conditions as new platforms
establish the necessary reach, and carriage costs decline.
6. CCG is conscious that the new Communications
Act will cover the period in the transition from analogue to digital
and beyond, and will, therefore, shape the future of Gaelic broadcasting
in a crucial period in the development of the language. CCG, therefore,
believes that provision in the Act should safeguard and build
on the current strengths of Gaelic broadcasting and proactively
facilitate development to meet the needs of the Gaelic audience
in the changing broadcasting environment.
7. To these ends, CCG proposes that:
— The Communications Bill, being a
deregulatory facilitative mechanism, should remove prohibitions
on action by CCG in current legislations, for example prohibition
on commissioning programmes
— facilitative provision be included
in the Bill to enable the new Gaelic broadcasting organisation,
not only to plan a programme service envisaged in the Policy Statement,
but to execute and deliver it under licence from OFCOM
— the organisation should be free to
contract with any analogue or digital platform for delivery as
best fits the requirements of the audience
— that the core service be designated
as public service broadcasting funded from public sources, augmented
by commercial revenues
— the existing requirements on broadcasters
are maintained to meet Gaelic public service requirements in analogue
services and to support the development of a comprehensive Gaelic
digital service defined as a public service broadcasting service.
7 June 2002
Annex
Gaelic Broadcasting Conference—24
May 2002
THE DISCUSSIONS
PRODUCED THE
FOLLOWING AGREED
STATEMENTS FROM
THE PARTICIPANTS:
— There is considerable disappointment
and anger in the Gaelic community that the recommendations of
the Milne Report appear to have been set aside in the resulting
published Draft Communications Bill
— The Gaelic organisations welcome
the position taken in the policy statement accompanying the Draft
Bill that the new Gaelic service be administered by a Gaelic agency,
namely a strengthened and enhanced Gaelic Broadcasting Committee
— The seminar recognises the importance
of the Communications Bill consultation process as a one-off opportunity
to offer Gaelic speakers the service they deserve and have made
a case for in a lengthy series of submissions
— The Gaelic television service to
be delivered should be based on the model proposed by Milne
— The new Gaelic service must be adequately
resourced and be supported by appropriate infrastructure
— There is a clear demand for a comprehensive
and coherent Gaelic television service delivered on the widest
possible range of platforms to enable maximum coverage and accessibility
— The seminar endorses the importance
of a Gaelic television service in terms of its educational benefits,
employment opportunities and social considerations
— Scheduling is of paramount importance
and programmes should be delivered at appropriate times, based
on the evidence accrued in the extensive research already available
— The Gaelic service should be designated
as Public Service Broadcasting
— The new Gaelic service must be administered
by a Gaelic agency and be seen to be a service for all Gaelic
speakers and supporters of the language
— The interests of Gaelic viewers must
be protected in terms of interim arrangements while analogue services
are replaced by digital.
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