THE media play a key role in our society, but it’s when something unfair happens when they are more important. That is why I want to express my gratitude to the journalists for the crucial work they have been doing these days, showing to the world the sad events that have been happening in Catalonia lately, with unacceptable violence from the Spanish police towards pacific Catalan voters.
I am deeply saddened by the events that took place on Sunday, October 1, when the Spanish police, acting on behalf of the Spanish Government were responsible for injuring more than 900 people. No rule of law or conviction should ever justify the use of violence against any population and even less against a population that is peacefully trying to exercise its democratic right to vote.
From the Catalan Government, we are deeply concerned that the Spanish government and the king of Spain have failed to condemn the violence as it was an extreme violation of the human and democratic rights of many Catalan citizens.
We are very willing to commence a period of comprehensive talks with the Spanish government and we have formally asked for that, but once again they have not responded to our proposal. This is the 19th time in two years that the Catalan Government has asked for dialogue.
In light of this, on behalf of the Catalan Government, I would like to thank The National and all the readers for all your support to Catalonia’s right to hold a democratic referendum for self-determination. The Catalan Government will continue working to find a peaceful and democratic solution to its citizens’ demands.
Raul Romeva
Catalan Foreign Minister
ALEX Orr hit the nail firmly on the head with his letter complaining about the lack of terrestrial TV coverage of Scotland international football matches. The absurd position of seeing our group opponents’ games on terrestrial TV while having to buy into a subscription-based service to watch Scotland games underlines how poorly served Scotland is when it comes to broadcasting.
I can understand the SFA wants to maximise income streams from TV rights but it’s not exactly helped the national team get any better and, as Alex says, it’s denied many children the chance to watch their national team, possibly reducing their interest in the game.
However, under our current situation where broadcasting is reserved to Westminster, this is unlikely to change any time soon. Scotland is poorly served by TV companies and lacks a real national broadcaster. While this continues our identity and national voice will always be diminished – which is no doubt the outcome desired by those who control our broadcasting powers.
Councillor Kenny MacLaren
Paisley
ON the issue of whether Scotland’s international football matches should be on terrestrial TV, can someone explain to me why Wales v the Republic of Ireland was available on S4C – the Welsh-language public-service television channel – while simultaneously being broadcast live on Sky? During the transmission, the commentator stated in the only English heard on the night that, due to contractual obligations, no alternative English language commentary was available.
I was more than happy to brush up on my Welsh watching such a high-profile match. But as S4C is, as I understand it, mainly funded by the BBC it does beg the question whether such an arrangement could be reached via BBC Alba?
Kevin Cordell
Dundee
THE difficulty for the Yes movement is that it is never in this world going to be all things to all men/women, no matter how much canny Scots or the other nationals making up Scotland’s voters might wish it, and the EU cannot be expected to deliver it or make up for voters wanting to hedge their bets.
However, it appears that, regardless of events in Catalonia or the chaos at Westminster, according to polling more than 50 per cent still think sticking with the status quo is safer than ploughing their own furrow.
Peter Gorrie
Edinburgh
THERESA May’s sudden White Papers seem to prepare for a “no deal” and to make the UK an independent trading nation again!
The measures announced imply great troubles ahead, and an excuse for the great lorry parks and quasi state of “emergency” measures to minimise disruption, self-imposed of course. It seems the concept of an open, free trade nation has gone. If the intention is to cow the EU into submission, it looks misplaced.
One is reminded more of the Second World War and Festung Europa. Is it now to be defiant Festung Britannia? All we need to hear now is “dig for victory”!
John Edgar
Stewarton
CURRENTLY the quality and safety of our food are protected by food standards introduced by the EU. Unless Scotland becomes independent before Brexit and remains in the EU, we will lose this protection. If we stay in the UK, there is no guarantee it will remain.
Producers will once again have a free hand to include all kinds of “artificial colours”, unspecified “preservatives” and “E numbers” without any obligation to detail these on labels.
Susan Swain
Dunbar
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We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
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Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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