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09|07|08

Alasdair Morrison appointed Chairman of MG ALBA

Following an independent appointment and selection process, Alasdair Morrison has been appointed as Chairman of MG ALBA (the new name for the Gaelic Media Service). The appointment was approved by the Secretary of State for Scotland and takes effect from July 2008 for a period of four years.

Mr Morrison is Director of UBC Group Ltd, Harris Tweed Hebrides Llp. From 1999-2007 he was the Labour MSP for the Western Isles in the Scottish Parliament and was deputy minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning from 1999-2001. His early career was as a radio and television journalist with the BBC.

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

“For the last three years I have been closely involved in the development of a dedicated Gaelic Digital TV station which is now closer than ever, so I know how important this position is.

“The advent of this service heralds an exciting time for the Gaelic language and for Gaelic speakers throughout Scotland and beyond. I would like to thank Neil Fraser for his energy and vision in making this possible and I look forward to working with Alasdair Morrison and the whole of the GMS to help deliver it."

Alasdair Morrison said: “I am looking forward to working constructively with my fellow board members, our partners the BBC, and everyone across the industry to ensure that Gaelic broadcasting services are of a standard appropriate for this age”.

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. The functions of MG ALBA (the new operating name of Gaelic Media Service) are outlined in the 2003 Communications Act. They are to secure that a wide and diverse range of high quality programmes in Gaelic are broadcast or otherwise transmitted to people in Scotland. Later this year and in partnership with the BBC, MG ALBA will launch a new Gaelic language television service on satellite, cable and online platforms in the UK.

2. This appointment is the result of a recruitment process validated by an independent assessor. The approval of the Secretary of State is required for the appointment of MG ALBA/GMS board members and chairman.

3. As outlined in the 2003 Communications Act, 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.

4. 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;
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.”

Alasdair Moireasdan air ainmeachadh mar Chathraiche MG ALBA

9 Iuchar 2008

As dèidh pròiseas fastaidh agus taghaidh neo-eisimeileach, tha Alasdair Moireasdan air ainmeachadh mar Chathraiche ùr MG ALBA (ainm ùr Sheirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig). Chaidh a chur an dreuchd le aonta Rùnaire na Stàite airson Alba agus bidh e san dreuchd bho Iuchar 2008 airson ceithir bliadhnaichean.

Tha Alasdair Moireasdan na stiùiriche air UBC Group Ltd, Harris Tweed Hebrides Llp. Bho 1999 gu 2007 bha e na Bhall Làbarach airson nan Eileanan Siar ann am Pàrlamaid na h-Alba agus bha e na iar-mhinistear airson Iomairt agus Foghlam Fad-beatha eadar 1999 agus 2001. Ron an sin bha e na fhear-naidheachd rèidio agus telebhisein airson a’ BhBC.

Thuirt Daibhidh Cairns, Ministear na Stàite aig an Oifis Albannaich:

“Sna trì bliadhnaichean a dh’fhalbh tha mi air a bhith an sàs gu dlùth ann an leasachadh stèisean didseatach telebhisean Gàidhlig, a tha a-nis gu bhith a’ tòiseachadh a dh’aithghearr, agus mar sin tha fios agam dè cho cudromach ’s a tha an dreuchd seo.

“Leis an seirbheis seo air faire tha linn bhrosnachail ùr a’ tòiseachadh airson na Gàidhlig agus airson luchd na Gàidhlig air feadh Alba agus thall thairis. Bu mhath leam taing a thoirt gu Niall Friseal airson a chuid neart agus a lèirsinn ann a bhith a’ toirt seo gu buil, agus tha mi a’ dèanamh fiughair ri bhith ag obair còmhla ri Alasdair Moireasdan agus sgioba Sheirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig gu lèir gus an t-seirbheis ùr a lìbhrigeadh.”

Thuirt Alasdair Moireasdan: “Tha mi a’ coimhead le fiughair ri bhith ag obair còmhla ri buill eile a’ bhùird, ar com-pàirtichean aig a’ BhBC agus a h-uile duine a tha an sàs anns a’ ghnìomhachas airson seirbheisean craolaidh Gàidhlig a chruthachadh aig ìre a tha freagarrach airson na linne seo.”

CRÌOCH

FIOS AIRSON LUCHD-DEASACHAIDH

1. Tha dleastanas MG ALBA (ainm ùr gnìomha Sheirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig) ga chur an cèill ann an Achd a’ Chonaltraidh 2003: gus dèanamh cinnteach gun tèid roghainn farsaing de dheagh phrògraman Gàidhlig ri fhaighinn, tro craoladh no air dòigh eile, airson daoine ann an Alba. Am bliadhna, ann an co-bhanntachd leis a’ BhBC, bidh MG ALBA a’ cur air bhonn seirbheis telebhisein Ghàidhlig air saideil, cabal agus air-loidhne san Rìoghachd Aonaichte.

2. Tha an cathraiche air a chur an dreuchd mar thoradh air pròiseas fastaidh air a dhearbhadh le neach-measaidh neo-eisimeileach. Feumaidh Rùnaire na Stàite aonta a chur ri fastadh cathraiche MG ALBA agus buill a’ bhùird.

3. A rèir Achd a’ Chonaltraidh 2003, feumaidh buill a bhith am measg buill bòrd MG ALBA mar a leanas:

1. ball ainmichte leis a’ BhBC;
2. ball ainmichte le Iomairt na Gaidhealtachd agus nan Eilean; agus
3. ball ainmichte le Bòrd na Gàidhlig – a tha a’ brosnachadh na Gàidhlig fo Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005.

4. Feumaidh Ofcom dèanamh cinnteach, “cho fad ’s a tha prataigeach”, gu bheil na h-ùidhean a leanas gan riochdachadh gu ìre fhreagarrach le ballrachd na Seirbheis:

1. an fheadhainn aig a bheil ceadan airson seirbheisean sgìreil Sianal 3 a lìbhrigeadh airson sgìrean a tha gu lèir ann an Alba;
2. an fheadhainn aig a bheil ceadan airson na seirbheisean sgìreil Sianal 3 a tha fhathast a’ tighinn fo earrann 184(4)(b) a lìbhrigeadh; tha STV fo uallach (a) agus (b).
3. gnìomhachasan riochdachaidh neo-eisimeileach telebhisein agus rèidio ann an Alba;
4. daoine agus buidhnean eile a tha an sàs ann am brosnachadh agus cleachdadh na Gàidhlig, a’ gabhail a-steach na feadhna a tha an sàs ann an foghlam Gàidhlig agus cultar na Gàidhlig.

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