MSP urges the Scottish Government to intervene over BBC Highlands and Islands job cuts
Highland and Islands SNP MSP, John Finnie, is calling on the Scottish Government to intervene in plans by BBC Scotland to cut the number of Journalists in the region.
Two senior posts are to go in the Inverness news room of BBC Highlands and Islands which covers Highland, Moray, Argyll and Bute and the Western Isles.
In total BBC Scotland are looking to cut 35 jobs throughout the country, 17 of them journalist posts.
Mr Finnie has tabled a question to the First Minister for next weeks First Ministers Questions and is seeking a Members Business Debate on this issue.
Speaking on the issue Mr Finnie said: "Whilst two posts may seem a small number, at 50% of the existing staff it is disproportionate in terms of other regional news rooms across Scotland and in terms of the vast area covered by the BBC Highlands and Islands Service.
"The local news coverage and local opt out service based in Inverness is vital, not only for public information and news coverage but also for holding Politicians and local organisation to account on the issues that effect the region.
"I hope to raise this issue at next weeks First Ministers Questions and to host a debate on this matter in the Scottish Parliament in the near future to raise concerns about these job cuts and to ask the Scottish Government to put pressure on BBC Scotland to have a rethink."
