SCOTLAND should have a new public broadcaster after independence to be "more representative" of Scots, a new white paper has said.
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said that independence means broadcasting decisions would be “determined by the Scottish public”.
The 10th document in the Building a New Scotland series was published on Friday morning, with Robertson calling for a new public service broadcaster that is “more representative” of Scottish audiences.
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“Independence means that broadcasting decisions that impact Scottish audiences and our creative industries would be determined by the Scottish public through the Scottish Parliament,” the Culture Secretary said.
“For example, decisions about what large-scale sporting events should be made available to broadcast free-to-air, such as international football qualifiers.
“A new public service broadcaster would prioritise content and services that are more representative of diverse audiences in Scotland, enhancing local voices and coverage of community issues.”
The white paper Culture in an independent Scotland sets out that current decisions around broadcast are reserved to Westminster, but after independence broadcasters would be accountable to the Scottish Parliament.
The paper reads: "With independence, the Scottish Government could build on the strengths of the current broadcasting model and use new powers to develop a broadcasting strategy that better reflects and prioritises the specific needs and interests of Scottish audiences and our creative economy.
"This government would also, as a priority, begin work to establish a new Scottish public service broadcaster, with services on TV, radio and online to reflect the broad interests and outlook of the people of Scotland.
"This could ensure access to the programming that matters to Scottish audiences, such as wider availability of key Scottish sporting events, and would be regulated by a new, Scotland-based regulator with the interests of Scottish audiences and industry at its heart."
The Scottish public and industry would be consulted ahead of the new public broadcaster being established, the paper says, and could be based on a license fee model or "alternative" sources of funding.
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"Subject to that consultation, the expected remit of a new Scottish public service broadcaster would be impartial news and distinctive programming, delivered across radio and television as well as online, and reflective of diverse Scottish audiences," the paper continues.
"A strong governance and regulatory structure, independent from government but accountable to the Scottish people through parliament, as well as a funding structure that ensures a new Scottish public service broadcaster is not reliant on advertising or subscription for funding, would be expected to be key to proposals.
"This government would expect that a licence fee funding model would likely remain the best option for the broadcaster, subject to consultation with industry and audiences and reflecting the broadcasting landscape at the time."
The paper also sets out that ministers would "commit to respecting the existing BBC Charter with no change to the existing licence fee payable in Scotland at the point of independence".
Scots would therefore still be able to access BBC content and programmes without facing any additional costs.
"In future, the funding of a new Scottish public service broadcaster will be determined by the parliament and government of an independent Scotland, in negotiation with the broadcaster and in consultation with the Scottish people," the paper adds.
And, ministers would also seek to make enable a "one all-Scotland channel 3 licence". This would allow for one "equitable service" across the whole of Scotland, rather than the current divide where Scots in the border region are served by ITV Border, rather than STV, which is headquartered in Carlisle.
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Channel 4, the paper adds, should remain as a public asset after independence.
And it isn't just television, independence could lead Scotland to explore "greater coverage and diversity" of radio coverage, focusing on enhancing local voices and local issues.
"Proposals could include one or more dedicated Scottish public service broadcasting radio service that would help protect and enhance radio’s valued role as a platform for creativity, as well as a vehicle for news and entertainment," the paper adds.
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