Privatization of Channel Four

 

The Tory party has plans to privatize channel four. Its been widely reported that the broadcaster has supported more local innovative and independent productions and that the is Tory revenge for their perceived anti-Tory reporting. CH 4 is a highly successful broadcaster.

 

Nadine Dorries is a lightweight embarrassment as the tory culture minster and in interviews was not aware that while ch4 is publicly owned, it pays for itself with advertising – a unique model. 

 

The loss of legend broadcaster Jon snow last December was felt keenly. – after his 32 years with the broadcaster ,he said “its been the greatest privilege of my life to bring you the news.”

According to reports a privatized CH4 would face possible 50% cuts to its £660m program budgets - – spent on content such as news and current affairs, Gogglebox and It’s a Sin – to force its model into that of a commercially-focused broadcaster. This is likely to mean cuts to content that does not bring in much income from advertising, which Channel 4 relies on for more than 90% of its £1bn annual revenues, such as news.

 

CH4 has set up offices in Leeds and Glasgow which would probably have to close.

 

Who owns Channel 4?

Channel 4 was established by Margaret Thatcher’s government in 1982 to provide a culturally challenging alternative to BBC One, BBC Two and ITV. It is publicly owned but commercially funded. Unlike the BBC, which is funded through the £159-a-year license fee its viewers must pay, Channel 4 has no financial support from the taxpayer.

 

In 2017, the culture secretary Karen Bradley formally ruled privatization out, saying Channel 4 was a “precious public asset” that would “continue to be owned by the country”. Instead, the government pushed for Channel 4 to relocate significant parts of its operations and staff out of London. About 300 of its 800 staff have now moved to new “national” headquarters in Leeds, as well as “creative hubs” in Bristol and Glasgow.

 

Ultimately, it was decided that the benefits of a cash windfall to the government were outweighed by the scale of the detrimental impact on the independent TV sector.

"Jon Snow will have 'honorary citizenship in independent Scotland', says FM Nicola Sturgeon

To set up Scotland’s very own media

 

worldwide success of Outlander

Scottish Media and Broadcasting. To set up Scotland’s very own media! Yes

 

When the British Broadcasting Corporation BBC, was set up 1933, its strange that Scotland, an ancient nation begun 9th century, did not insist on its own media – when Scotland has always kept its church, Scots law, education and with its four ancient universities. 

Its been a cultural disaster for Scotland writes Paul Scott Henderson in his book on the Scottish Enlightenment. 

 

After recommendations by the Advisory Council for Arts Scotland 1981, initiated by the Saltire Society - some arts councils have set up here – The Scottish Arts Council (Creative Scotland), National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, (nearly closed), 

 

Nearly all Scottish arts councils have been run by English directors. Andrew Dixon, who ran the National galleries wanted to remove all Scottish art as he believed it was inferior and close the Scottish National Portrait gallery – but there was such an outcry and protest in Edinburgh, instead the historic building in Queen street was refurbished and reopened in 2014.

 

Henderson writes, “The problem is that many Scots children go through their entire time at school and learn nothing of their own Scottish culture, history or arts. This is shocking as most countries teach their national culture. Instead Scots learn about English culture which teaches them to feel second rate and inferior.” 

 

I have my own personal experience.

When I lived in the States, I had no idea I should be proud to be Scots – of the Scottish rich heritage – (even though I studied higher history)! I know Scots had made a few inventions. I knew of Robert the Bruc but I had no idea of the Scottish enlightenment. 

Brian Cox in Succession

James McAvoy

“Scotland’s government is responsible for Scotland’s culture, but has to ignore the most influential means of cultural expression. All the small, newly independent, nations of Europe have their own broadcasting and even the state of Catalonia has its own four tv channels.”

 

Are changes afoot 2022 – with the recent global successes of the series Outlander and at Cumbernauld studios; filming Batman Glasgow; Brian Cox in Succession; and several other well known Scots actors. And with Sam Heughan portraying Jamie Frazer a proud and principled Highlander.  #¥esScots

 

  

Jamie Frazer and Claire

Concert for Ukraine Perth

 

Eddi Reader

Concert for Ukraine Perth Concert Hall – April 20th

EDDI Reader, Dougie MacLean, Blazin’ Fiddles and The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band  

 

 

Scots Makar Kathleen Jamie will give a readings of collective poem Our Waking Breath – a Poem-Letter from Scotland to Ukraine, created from single lines submitted by the public.

 

Tickets are selling fast for the concert, has already raised over £15,000 for the

 

Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC), Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal – 

and anyone who wants to come along is being urged to act quickly as the concert is expected to sell out.

 

Tickets cost £25, with all net proceeds from the event being donated directly to the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC), Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Tickets are available at www.horsecross.co.uk; Phone, 01738621031, in person, between 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday at Perth Theatre Box Office.

 

 

Blazin Fiddles

Perthshire-based poet Jim Mackintosh, who is organising the event along with Horsecross Arts, Alan McKinnon, Dave MacFarlane and Graeme Roger, said: “I’m humbled at the response from the Scottish creative community.

 

“When we came up with the idea to do the concert, everyone we asked who could possibly rearrange their lives to be able to perform said yes. Once word spread among artists, we were actively contacted by several top names who wanted to get involved.

 

“The concert is obviously going to be full of emotion, but we do want people to come along and enjoy themselves and feel proud that they are doing something, albeit a small thing, to help the people of Ukraine.

 

 “And if people can’t make it but still want to show their support, they can still donate to the appeal through the Concert for Ukraine webpage.”

All the performers and their technical support have donated their services, and Horsecross Arts has waived the hire fee for Perth Concert Hall.

 

Glasgow named as City of Music

Laura Marling

Cara Dillon and the RSNO

Hiam

Glasgow is a vibrant and exciting city of music, with the diversity and range of music venues. It has a slightly wild, irreverent and challenging side. Many musicians also say Glasgow audiences are the best!

 

From the concert hall to the modern 14K seater Ovo Hydro; iconic mid-size venues and the large number of small venues. World renowned venues include – the Barrowlands, King Tuts, Oran Mor and the Old Fruitmarket. These venues offer a close up and intimate live music experience.

 

There is also the unusual and historic venues – the Tall Ship, on the Clyde, the Macintosh church, Nice n Sleazys, St Lukes, Brel. All this matters in terms of building a healthy and active grassroots music scene for the future. Plus a number of busy folk clubs, jazz bars and more.

 

Over the past years I’ve been to many memorable concerts and taken photos of my musical heroes. I saw my music and lyrics hero Bob Dylan on the Braehead arena - I have to assume he found the large SECC arena impersonal and remote for his previous gig here. I went with my teenage son and his audience is certainly a broad church – from the dedicated disciples who go to every concert, to the curious. At 70 Dylan is a proliferate as ever with a new album release in 2020, with his stunning, immersive songs.

Rab Noakes

Karine Polwart

 

Another icon was Paul Simon, Clyde Auditorium, which was uplifting and joyous. Plus Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, Neil Young. Paul McCartney.

On the smaller stages – Arcade Fire, Barrowlands; Admiral Fallow, King Tuts; Hiam, 

Oran Mor, Emeli Sande; Karine Polwart, Tall ship.

 

Blue Rose Code

Emeli Sande

 

I’ve seen other folk heroes at both Celtic Connections and Milngavie folk club - notably the legends Dick Gaughan. Dougie Maclean, Rab Noakes, Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis. And Blue Rose Code (Ross Wilson) was another favourite.

 

Plus the excitement of taking photos at the Royal Albert hall London for Emeli Sande!  2012.

I’ve taken photos at many top class gigs – its often been a thrill and an honour with the buzz of the pit and the adrenalin rush to try to capture the right image, that not only tells the story but the artist expressing their innermost reflections.. 

Music photography expresses my passion of both art and music.

The Arts and music is a huge industry for the UK and for Scotland. 

 

Glasgow boasts lively Trad sessions, decades of history, iconic venues, intimate gigs,

 

 Outstanding festivals, passionate audiences, record shops, 

 

Proclaimers

Mogwai

Kathryn Joseph

Admiral Fallow