Dundee SNP

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick is taking action on behalf of constituents who took their young family to a cinema during Christmas and were appalled at the quantity and content of the alcohol commercials shown during their visit.

Joe said: “The Scottish Government made a commitment in its Alcohol Bill published last year to reduce the impact of alcohol advertising and is taking a wide range of actions to tackle alcohol misuse and promote a culture of sensible and responsible drinking, but it won’t be able to curb alcohol advertising in cinemas until the UK Government legislates.

“The Scottish Government does not have powers to regulate broadcast advertising so the Scottish Public Health Minister cannot do any more than urge the UK Government to develop a UK approach to cinema advertising which protects children.

“Recent studies by the University of Sheffield and by the European Alcohol and Health Forum indicate consistent evidence of advertising having an effect on young people’s drinking.

“In their reply to me, the Cinema Advertising Association admitted that ‘in 2008, 13% of the audience who saw alcohol commercials in the cinema were under 18. They also admit the proportion of alcohol commercials rises around the Christmas period but claim it never exceeds 40 % of the adverts shown. But this does not include advertisements for a cinema’s own products, nor does it include trailers for forthcoming films – where there could be more alcohol products shown.

“So there are grounds for concern. Firstly, the code about alcohol adverts is dependent on a panel, made up of advertisers and it relies on individual cinemas’ ‘self-imposed rule’ of how many adverts shown will be for alcohol.

“Both the Scottish and UK Governments are trying to tackle our legacy of serious alcohol misuse, and frankly, alcohol advertising in cinemas is an area that seems to me ripe for review and possible new legislation to better influence the drinking habits of the next generation. I will be taking the issue further.”

Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie has written to BBC Scotland questioning the decision to axe the weekly radio show ‘Riddoch Questions’.

The MP is concerned that the programme is the only non-news programme produced and broadcast in Dundee and feels that the decision “is bad news for the city’s attempts to boost its standing and its media profile.”

The weekly radio show ‘Riddoch Questions’ is to be axed at the end of its present run, probably in July.

Stewart Hosie said: “I have asked BBC Scotland to provide an explanation for the decision which will mean that apart from occasional news and sport items inserted into the national news output, Dundee will have no involvement in broadcast production for BBC Scotland.

“The decision also represents a considerable reduction in political programming in Scotland. It is very unfortunate, particularly at a time when Dundee is increasingly at the centre of good news stories related to its successful new industries such as digital and new media, bio-tech and life sciences and cultural innovations.

“I believe that part of the problem might lie with historic decisions to downgrade the BBC presence in Dundee which has left the city with a basic news studio that is ill-equipped for anything more than news/sport inserts and up the line interviews.

I have asked BBC Controller Ken MacQuarrie what plans – if any – the BBC has to re-invest some of Dundee licence-payers’ fees in the city and increase its broadcasting output.”

Dundee East MSP Shona Robison has expressed concern that even after digital switchover in 2010, some viewers in the city will continue to receive less channels than the majority.

The MSP received a reply from the Controller of BBC Scotland admitting that some viewers in the city will miss out on some of the commercial digital channels after switchover from analogue to digital TV next year.

It is possible that while the majority will receive more than 40 channels, some will only be able to receive approximately 20 channels.

The MSP had taken up the issue over a year ago and had a long correspondence with the BBC in London over the future of the Tay Bridge transmitter which some viewers in the city rely on to receive TV signals.

Shona Robison explained: “Residents in those parts of the city adjacent to the river seem to be having the most trouble. At present, they cannot receive good analogue signals from the powerful Angus transmitter because of the intervening hills, so they rely on the smaller Tay Bridge transmitter.

“Those who presently receive good analogue signals will receive a good digital signal and there will be an increase in the number of households receiving Freeview channels from 70% of households to 97%.
“Of course, some viewers who presently receive a poor analogue service will now find that they pick up Freeview channels after the switchover. So, in general, more households will have a wider choice after the switchover

“However, the role of the Tay Bridge transmitter after digital switchover is uncertain. I have been advised that it will still transmit the BBC suite of channels, along with ITV, Channel 4 etc. but may not receive the full number of the commercial channels received by those viewers served by the Angus transmitter.”

“Ditigal UK can advise on the latest position with regard to switchover issues and the BBC Reception website may also prove useful as may the BBC Reception Advice line. I will of, course, take up any further complaints or queries if contacted by constituents.”

 Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick has welcomed the recommendations of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission which include a need for a separate Scottish digital channel which should deliver national, UK and international news from a Scottish perspective.

The MSP believes that Scottish based news will lead to much greater clarity of where responsibility for different issues lies and provide a greater understanding of current affairs throughout Scotland.

The Dundee MSP has said that he receives letters and enquiries from constituents on issues that they believe directly affect them in areas such as Health, Education and Justice, when, in fact, the reports they have seen on issues refer to legislation of government policies that affect only England and Wales.

Commenting on the recommendation the SNP MSP said:

“It is clear from the constituency correspondence that I receive on a wide range of issues that there is confusio at the moment.

“For example it was reported recently in Scotland that a particular drug was not available on the NHS and I received letters from constituents concerned about this lack of availability when the drug had, in fact, been available in Scotland for some time.

“Other examples include changes to education delivery or justice issues that are reported on UK news programmes and do not have it properly explained that this does not apply to Scotland.

“The result of this can be needless concern over an issue or it can mean that on some issues people who wish to comment are not properly informed of whether it is a matter for the Westminster or Scottish Governments. This leads to a lack of information reaching those making decisions and does not give the public a proper voice.

“I hope that the UK Government will accept the very strong case made by the independent members of the Commission for a separate channel based in Scotland, which can only improve the relationship between both Government and opposition politicians and the people they serve.”