BBC correspondent Sarah Smith and LibDem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton.
By Bill Heaney
Speaking ahead of this afternoon’s Scottish Government debate on The Value of Public Service Broadcasting to Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today praised broadcasters for their coverage of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
In his speech Mr Cole-Hamilton will describe their vital contribution to the fight against disinformation, here and abroad, and commend their foreign correspondents for making sure that we are all aware of the terrors unfolding abroad.
He will also urge Conservative and nationalist politicians to “take the heat out” of attacks on the broadcasters.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “For the past two years, our public broadcasters have provided information and entertainment to get us through a global pandemic. Now they are doing essential work, keeping us informed on the unfolding terrors in Ukraine.
“By delivering factual reporting to users all over the globe, they are contributing to the vital fight against disinformation and keeping the eyes of the world on an ongoing atrocity. The BBC are even broadcasting content on shortwave radio so that it can reach the residents of Ukraine. You don’t get that with Netflix.
“I was disappointed to see that despite Sarah Smith’s comments about the scale of abuse she suffered for simply doing her job, the Culture Secretary was unable to bring himself to condemn nationalist marchers picketing the BBC and the scale of social media abuse of journalists that has been allowed to take hold in Scotland.
No doubt with people such as the SNP and West Dunbartonshire Council, Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “There is a small but vocal minority who do not want to see public service journalism flourish, they want to see it cowed unless it parrots exactly what they want to hear.
“I hope that both Conservative and nationalist politicians will use this debate to take the heat out of attacks on our public service broadcasters.”