WISHART DISAPPOINTMENT AT DIGITAL WHITE PAPER

WISHART DISAPPOINTMENT AT DIGITAL WHITE PAPER

SNP Culture and Broadcasting spokesperson Pete Wishart MP has expressed disappointment that the UK Government’s Digital Britain white paper has failed to support the establishment of a Scottish Digital Channel. Mr Wishart also said that the long-awaited plan must go further in supporting the creative economy and artists.

In particular, Mr Wishart argued that more must be done to ensure artists are protected from piracy and properly rewarded for their work.

Mr Wishart said:

“Scottish licence fee payers are currently being short-changed, and it is extremely disappointing that this long-awaited white paper has failed to recognise and support the Scottish Broadcasting Commissions recommendation that a Scottish Digital TV network would safeguard the public service broadcasting plurality in Scotland.

“The Scottish Parliament voted unanimously in favour of establishing a Scottish Digital Network, which would deliver greater choice and improved services for viewers. It is the UK Government that has all the levers on broadcasting powers and they must do more to make this digital channel a reality.

“While the ambition to secure universal broadband access is to be welcomed, more must be done to protect those who are working in our creative economy. Our creative industries contribute significantly to the economy and are a key route to economic recovery, yet protection for artists and creators remains an afterthought.

“Where the Digital Britain White Paper accepts more has to be done to protect artists and creators from piracy, the solutions suggested are hesitant and insufficient.

“Writing letters to persistent downloaders and threatening slower internet speeds seems a feeble response to the loss of millions of pounds of income to artists and creators. What is needed is a mixture of effective technical measures, creative solutions, but above all the political will to tackle this problem.”