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15|04|08

Ofcom Appoints Members to Gaelic Media Service Board

Seven new members have been appointed to the Board of the Gaelic Media Service and three existing members reappointed, Ofcom announced today. These appointments were approved by the Secretary of State for Scotland and took effect from 1 April 2008. The terms will run for three and four years.

The new members are as follows:

Donald John MacInnes

Mr MacInnes is Chief Executive, Scotland Europa which is an organisation that promotes its members’ interests to the EU Institutions and beyond. These interests include securing EU funding for projects and promoting Scotland’s economic strengths. He is a former member of the BBC’s Broadcasting Council for Scotland and currently sits on the Scottish Appointments Panel for the BBC’s Audience Council Scotland.

Donald Martin

Mr Martin was Chief Executive of the Gaelic agency Commun na Gàidhlig from 2003 to 2007. He has been a regular contributor to Gaelic radio and TV programmes in connection with his work and his general interest in Gaelic language and culture. He has extensive experience in public administration and community development.

Rob Dunbar

Dr Dunbar is Reader in Law and Celtic at the University of Aberdeen. He is an internationally recognised expert on minority language policy and planning and has, for example, done considerable work for the Council of Europe on minority language broadcasting. He has promoted Gaelic education and culture through his involvement on the board of directors for a number of Gaelic organisations. He is an existing GMS Board member and is also a member of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Shona MacLennan

Ms MacLennan is a self-employed rural development consultant who lives near Dornie in Lochalsh. She has been a director of Grampian TV Ltd and of Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd, a member of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig Development Committee and was previously a director of the UHI Millennium Institute. She is an existing member of the GMS Board.

Gordon Maclennan

Mr Maclennan is Assistant Chief Executive, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. Prior to this he was Senior Director with Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and was responsible for business support. One of his priorities was to develop the media sector, working with independent production companies. He has held a number of senior appointments within the public and private sector.

Duncan MacInnes

Mr MacInnes is Secretary of the Western Isles Fishermen’s Association. He has served six years on the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise and four years as Chairman of Western Isles Careers Service. In addition, he spent eight years on the Board of Western Isles Enterprise, three as Chairman. He is an existing member of the GMS Board.

Alasdair MacCaluim

Dr MacCaluim is Gaelic Communications Officer with the Scottish Parliament and before that was Gaelic Development Officer with Perth and Kinross Council. In both these posts he has worked extensively to promote Gaelic education at different levels and has published research on the role of Gaelic learners in language development.

Kenneth MacKinnon

Professor MacKinnon has undertaken substantial research into Gaelic communities in the Western Isles, Skye, and Cape Breton, and nationally for the EU Euromosaic Project. He has undertaken consultancy work for the Western Isles Language Plan, BBC Broadcasting Research, and for STV’s Gaelic Department in the early days of funded Gaelic programming. He was a member of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Gaelic, and is currently a board member of Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Hugh Dan MacLennan

Mr MacLennan is Communications Director with CalMac Ferries Ltd, responsible for public affairs, communications, marketing, office services and customer care. He is also a former Director and Vice President of the Camanachd Association, shinty’s governing body. He has also worked in Gaelic broadcasting for BBC Radio nan Gàidheal.

Rhoda Meek

Ms Meek is a community development worker in Glasgow. She is a Director of Tatton & Meek Ltd and co-owns Sìth Cafe in Glasgow's West End. She was previously Gaelic Outreach Officer with the Scottish Parliament. She has also worked for BBC Scotland across a range of Gaelic television and radio output.

Minister of State at the Scotland Office, David Cairns said:

"This is an exciting time not just for Gaelic speakers but for all Scots as we move towards the launch of the new dedicated digital service. Gaelic is not only an important part of our heritage but a living, growing language, and the Government is committed to helping bring it to a wider audience. I look forward to working closely with the new board members to help the GMS deliver this."

Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture for the Scottish Government, Linda Fabiani, said:

“I welcome the announcement of the new members of the Gaelic Media Service Board. As I am sure they are all aware, they are joining GMS at a very important time – with the launch of the Digital service expected later this year – and I am certain the wealth and variety of expertise they bring will ensure that the GMS and the new channel operate very successfully in the future. I am in no doubt that all the new board members are excited about their role in the new channel and I wish them well.”

Neil Fraser, Chairman of GMS, said: “While I welcome the new appointees to the board and wish them well, I must pay tribute to the departing members who have given time and energy beyond what was expected of them. The first four years of the Gaelic Media Service have witnessed intense activity in terms of organisational change, partnership negotiation, positive engagement with funders and translation of the vision for a free-standing Gaelic television service into reality. The Gaelic community will enjoy the fruits of those members' endeavours later this year.”

Vicki Nash, Director of Ofcom (Scotland) said:

“We are confident that the new members have the expertise, experience and enthusiasm to take the board forward into the era of the new Gaelic Digital Service.”

Ends.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. As outlined in the Communications Act 2003, GMS Board members must include:

1. a member nominated by the BBC;
2. a member nominated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise; and
3. a member nominated by Bòrd na Gàidhlig - which promotes the Gaelic language under the the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.

Ofcom must also secure, “so far as practicable”, that the membership of the Service is such that the interests of each of the following are adequately represented:

1. the holders of licences to provide regional Channel 3 services for areas wholly in Scotland;
2. the holders of licences to provide regional Channel 3 services in respect of which determinations under section 184(4)(b) are for the time being in force; (a) and (b) apply to STV;
3. the independent television and radio production industries in Scotland; and
4. other persons and bodies concerned with the promotion and use of the Gaelic language, including those concerned with education in Gaelic and in Gaelic culture.

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