CCG SAY GAELIC BROADCASTING IS AT A CROSSROADS

MATTHEW MACIVER, Chairman of the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee, has said that Gaelic broadcasting has reached a crucial turning-point and it is to be hoped that the Government will accept the argument that the Gaels deserve a much better service than they presently receive.
MacIver made the statement when he released the Committees Annual Report for 2000/2001 in Stornaway on August 14. MavIver, who is now retiring from the CCG chairmanship and has been a member of the Committee since their inception ten years ago, noted that financial constraints had a significant impact on CCG’s operations in 2000/2001. The upshot of the 1998 funding cut is that the Committee are no longer able to fund the 200 hours of programming envisaged in the 1990 Broadcasting Act and only 163 hours were funded this year.
MacIver advocated that the only prudent way forward is to implement the recommendation of the Milne Report that a dedicated Gaelic channel run by the Gaels themselves be established.
The problem created by reduced funding and the need for future investment is underlined in the Financial Statements which show that the demand for programmes has exceeded by more than £1 million the Committee’s ability to fund them. Given the reduced amount of programme stock carried in the Balance Sheet the present output cannot be sustained by the Fund at its current level.
Although the report draws attention to the problems and challenges confronting Gaelic broadcasting it also demonstrates a high level of successful achievement: outstanding award-winning productions; strong audience appreciation and support as well as increased viewing figures; and the highest ever proportion of funding to the independent production sector.
Mac Iver said: “Despite the financial and legislative constraints under which CCG operates, we are pleased that we are still fulfilling our key objectives: quality broadcasting in Gaelic; support for education, culture and language development; value for money through co-production and co-financing; added value through ancillary product; partnership ventures; training to meet present and future needs; and formulating coherent strategies for Gaelic broadcasting in the future. I am proud to have been associated with CCG during a period of unprecedented growth in Gaelic broadcasting and I hope that it will have a major role to play as Gaelic communications develop even more in the future.” (CD)