BBC boss defends news criticism

Mark Thompson spoke of a sea-change in attitudes to Scotland

BBC director general Mark Thompson has dismissed accusations that the corporation's news coverage in Scotland is too parochial.

He told MSPs that BBC Scotland was committed to making good programmes, but recognised there was a need to better reflect news in its regions.

Mr Thompson's comments came as he was questioned by the Scottish Parliament's culture committee.

MSPs also quizzed BBC Scotland controller Ken MacQuarrie.

The session came in the wake of BBC Scotland's announcement of a partnership agreement with STV which will see both broadcasters consider ways of sharing pictures, facilities, training, technology and archive programmes.

Mr Thompson told the committee there had been a change in the attitude of the BBC to investment into Scotland over the past few years.

You could say some people in Scotland say there is a kind of central belt metropolitan bias in our coverage

Mark Thompson
BBC director general

He described the BBC Scotland's Pacific Quay headquarters as the corporation's most advanced production centre, adding that targets to increase the level of network programme commissioning from Scotland had been exceeded.

Nationalist MSP Kenny Gibson attacked news coverage, reiterating the SNP's long-standing calls for a "Scottish Six" programme which covered national and international news.

"It would mean you would have less of the Mrs-McGlumpha's-cat-caught-up-a-tree-type stories that you sometimes get on Reporting Scotland," he said.

"There would be things presented from an international perspective rather than at present, which is still on occasion mind-numbingly parochial in my view - that would be a better way forward."

'Positive feedback'

Mr Thompson described Reporting Scotland as a "really strong" news programme.

He added: "I feel especially in recent years, and especially with the devolved politics of Scotland to report on, I think it has grown in stature."

"What we do not get from the Scottish public, and have not had for some time, is a strong sense that they are being under-served or would be served better by reorganising that."

But the director general said the biggest challenge for the BBC, based on audience feedback, was the desire for better coverage in the regions of Scotland.

"When people talk about metropolitan bias they normally are referring to London but actually you could say that some people in Scotland say there is a kind of central belt metropolitan bias in our coverage as well, which is something I think Kenny and his team have to look at."

Mr MacQuarrie said there had been extremely positive feedback regarding Reporting Scotland.

He added: "We strive every day and every week to deliver better and better journalism."