- MG Alba
MG ALBA, is the operating name of Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig (Gaelic Media Service). Theorganisation’s remit, under the Communications Act 2003, is to ensure that a wide and diverse range ofhigh quality Gaelic programmes is made available to persons in Scotland. In addition to the former mandate to fund programme production and development, training, audience research and related activities, the new Service was given new powers to make, schedule and commission programmes and the authority to seek a broadcast licence. This gave MG ALBA the impetus to pursue its vision of managing a sustainable Scottish Gaelic media service that is vibrant, comprehensive, cost-effective, contemporary, and reflective of the finest quality of public service broadcasting.
The Communications Act specifies that “the functions of the Service shall be to secure that a wide and diverse range of high quality programmes in Gaelic are broadcast or otherwise transmitted so as to be available to persons in Scotland.” MG ALBA is co-funding the launch of the BBC ALBA.
It is based in
Stornoway andGlasgow .Controversy
MG ALBA has been the subject of some controversy, as it has been argued that the appointment of
Alasdair Morrison , the ex-Labour MSP for the Western Isles, to the head of the service is a partisan one [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7499294.stm] [http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/news/display.var.2422996.0.Watchdog_urged_to_examine_post_for_exminister.php] [http://www.silobreaker.com/DocumentReader.aspx?Item=5_878218758] [http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/732052?UserKey=0] , leading to calls for a watchdog byLinda Fabiani , who said,"I oppose this appointment as I believe that, as a public body and a broadcaster, MG ALBA must be politically impartial.
"I have serious concerns that someone who has recently held a visible political office will be able to provide this impartiality."
Coincidentally, Alasdair's brother
Iain Morrison is also its marketing and audience communications executive.[http://angusnicolson.blogspot.com/2008/07/mg-alba.html]
ee also
*
STV
*BBC Scotland
*BBC Alba (TV channel) External links
* [http://www.gms.org.uk Gaelic Media Service]
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