On Wednesday, Scottish news programmes broadcast by STV are set to be suspended as journalists engage in a strike against proposed job cuts and the termination of a dedicated news service for northern Scotland. The strike, organized by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), aims to protest against compulsory redundancies and the perceived dismantling of public service broadcasting obligations.
STV has labeled the strike as “ill-timed,” citing ongoing consultations with unions regarding the proposed changes. While network programming and advertising will continue unaffected, the strike is anticipated to lead to a reduced news service on STV’s website. Despite the disruptions, the company’s new music radio station, which launched on October 3, 2023, will remain operational.
Concerns Over Job Cuts and Local News Coverage
According to Nick McGowan-Lowe, the Scottish organiser for the NUJ, the strike reflects widespread opposition to STV’s management decisions. He accused the company of attempting to “rip up” commitments to public service broadcasting. “Viewers, staff, business leaders, politicians and unions all know STV’s plans are desperate, shortsighted, damaging to Scottish journalism and in complete disregard of the viewers and communities in the north of Scotland who depend on local coverage from STV News,” he stated.
Currently, STV operates two distinct news services: one for the central belt of Scotland and another for the northern region. The northern service represents the last remnant of Grampian TV, which provided local programming until its acquisition by STV’s parent company in the late 1990s. Plans to consolidate these services have sparked significant backlash, particularly as the TV regulator Ofcom is reviewing proposed changes to the news service.
While STV maintains that it will continue to operate news teams in Aberdeen, Dundee, and Inverness, the proposed restructuring would merge bulletins and select segments of the 18:00 programme to feature stories of national interest. The initial announcement of these plans in September 2023 drew condemnation from leaders of all major political parties in Scotland, alongside opposition from local business groups and councils.
Company’s Justification and Future Plans
STV has argued that the changes are necessary due to declining ratings and advertising revenues. The company insists it is committed to providing a high-quality news service and claims the proposed restructuring will ensure its sustainability. Despite the STV News at 18:00 often being the most-watched programme in Scotland, the company acknowledges that limited advertising revenue around the show diminishes its commercial viability.
As of now, only three journalists are at risk of compulsory redundancy, although the restructuring will result in the loss of 28 roles within the news team. Fortunately, some staff members have opted for voluntary departures, while others affected by the changes have been redeployed. The consultation period with Ofcom regarding the proposed changes will conclude in February 2024, although the regulator does not have authority over job numbers.
If approved, the new format for STV’s news programmes is expected to roll out by spring 2024. A spokesperson for STV stated, “The NUJ’s action is ill-timed as consultation with unions and colleagues is ongoing and significant progress has been made in reducing the impact on jobs.” They emphasized that the majority of the 28 affected roles were the result of voluntary redundancy or redeployment.
The spokesperson also indicated that STV is seeking changes to its news commitments in order to maintain comprehensive newsgathering and coverage throughout Scotland in a sustainable manner. They concluded by stating that while STV has public service commitments, the company does not receive public funding. The proposals are aimed at preserving a valued news service in an evolving media landscape.
