Introduction
The Broadcasting White Paper of 1978 outlined the importance of Gaelic broadcasting in paragraph 58: “Broadcasting has an important role to play in the preservation of Gaelic and Welsh as living tongues and in sustaining the distinctive cultures based upon them...”.
The Broadcasting Act 1981 section 4 (1) (d) obliged the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to see that, as far as possible, when “another language as well as English is in common use” that a “suitable proportion of matter in that language” should be broadcast. On the advice of the IBA’s Scottish Advisory Committee both Scottish Television and Grampian Television each provided 30 minutes a week of Gaelic material including programme exchanges between the two companies.
Broadcasting Act 1990
On the 18 December 1989, the Rt. Hon. Malcolm Rifkind QC MP, the then Secretary of State for Scotland, announced the establishment of a Gaelic Television Fund of £8m., the money to be made available for up to 200 hours of Gaelic Television in addition to the 100 hours then currently being transmitted in Scotland. This proposal was subsequently incorporated into the Broadcasting Act 1990 as detailed in Sections 183 and 184 plus Schedule 19.
Comataidh Telebhisein Gaidhlig or Gaelic Television Committee
In establishing the Gaelic Television Fund, the Government paid to the ITC an annual, though variable, sum as determined by the Secretary of State. This fund was administered by a Gaelic Television Committee (CTG) appointed by the ITC.
Under the Broadcasting Act 1990, the CTG were required to make grants for the financing of programmes in Gaelic for broadcasting mainly in Scotland. Funds could also be used for training, research and for related purposes such as support materials.
Broadcasting Act 1996
The Broadcasting Act 1996 put a requirement upon the provider of the digital terrestrial multiplex carrying Channel 5 and S4C to provide a minimum of half an hour a day of Gaelic programming during peak time throughout Scotland. The Multiplex operator is also charged to consult the Committee on the quantity of programmes and the proposed scheduling for the broadcast. More information on digital television is contained in ITC Note 40.
Section 95(6)(b) of the Act expanded the remit of what was then the Gaelic Television Committee to provide support to Gaelic radio to widen the range and improve the quality of sound programmes in Gaelic that are broadcast for reception in Scotland. In recognition of these changes, Comataidh Telebhisein Gaidhlig (The Gaelic Television Committee) was re-named Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig (The Gaelic Broadcasting Committee).
The Gaelic Broadcasting Committee in Operation
The committee consists of a chairman, appointed for five years, and up to eight other members. With the approval of the ITC, the committee appoints a full time executive staff.
The CCG, in conjunction with their executive staff under a director, determine the overall strategy or policy for funded Gaelic broadcasting. Annually, they determine a menu of programmes which reflect the needs of the Gaelic language and culture. Both broadcasters and independent producers are then invited to submit proposals targeting the menu. In the case of a programme proposal, a broadcaster must be willing to make an appropriate transmission slot available. The CCG can assist in this process by negotiating with the broadcaster. In the case of television, in addition to the Scottish ITV licensees, the BBC, Channel 4 and independent producers can access the Fund. Similarly, the BBC, Independent Radio companies and producers can access the Fund to produce sound
programmes.
ITC Licensees
The ITC’s Invitation to Apply for regional Channel 3 licences states that the Central Scotland and North of Scotland licensees must broadcast at least one hour a week on average of programmes in the Gaelic language funded by themselves. They must in addition broadcast programmes in the Gaelic language on a regular basis up to 200 hours a year funded by the CCG.
It is a licence condition that Grampian TV shows 41 minutes a week of Gaelic programmes funded by themselves plus an additional 30 minutes a week which may be supplied by Scottish Television.
It is a licence condition that Scottish Television show 30 minutes a week of Gaelic programmes funded by themselves plus an additional 30 minutes a week which may be supplied by Grampian TV.
Accountability
The annual performance reviews by the ITC of its licensees include an assessment of the provision of Gaelic programmes required by the Broadcasting Act 1990. In particular, the service provided by the two Scottish licensees must include a wide range of Gaelic programmes, taking such programmes as a whole. A suitable proportion must be of high quality and shown at peak viewing times.
The CCG must prepare a separate report and accounts to the 31 March each year to be sent to the Secretary of State for Scotland to be laid before Parliament.
Recent Developments
A Gaelic Broadcasting Task Force, chaired by Alasdair Milne produced a report in 2000 which recommended the establishment of a Gaelic Broadcasting Authority to run a new digital Gaelic channel. In addition, the Education, Culture and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament completed an inquiry into Gaelic broadcasting in 2001.
The Communications Bill 2003 provides for the setting up of a new body called Seirbheis nam Meadhanan. Gaidhlig (The Gaelic Media Service). Its function will be to secure that a wide and diverse range of high quality programmes in Gaelic are broadcast or otherwise transmitted for viewing in Scotland. The service is to have up to 12 board members appointed by Ofcom, subject to approval by the Secretary of State. Organisations including the BBC, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Bord Gaidhlig na h-Alba (the Gaelic Development Agency) are guaranteed representation on the board of the new body.
Contact
The CCG is based at 4 Harbour View, Cromwell Street Quay, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS1 2DF (Tel.: 01851 705550; Fax.: 01851 706432).
Further References
ITC Publications
MARJORIBANKS, Brian. A fund of culture. in Airwaves. 1990: Spring, 14-16
DAVIDSON, Julie. Gifthorse for the Scots. in Spectrum. 1992: Summer, 17-18
MACKAY, John Angus. Winning over the audience. in Spectrum. 1992: Summer, 16-17
ITC Annual Report and Accounts
External Publications
Gaelic Broadcasting Committee (CC G) report and accounts.
The Multiplex Licence (Broadcasting of Programmes in Gaelic) Order 1996 (S.I. 1996/2758) London: Stationery Office, 1996
Gaelic Television: A Dedicated Channel Gaelic Broadcasting Task Force Report, published by the Scottish Executive, 2000
Report on the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee Education, Culture and Sport Committee, 18 December 2001
Communications Bill clause 205- 207 Printed by the Stationery Office, 2003
June 2003
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