The MGAlba Director on the value of Gaelic media

It was certainly a moment for myself and colleagues at the end of last year as we oversaw the publication of the Lèirsinn: A Route Map for Gaelic Media outlining a bold and progressive future for Gaelic media, if it is given the tools it needs to thrive. A vision for Gaelic media that is rooted in the important role it has in our communities contributing to language development and engagement, as well as economic growth and a driver of home grown skills and experience. You can find the full vision document at mgalba.com.

Having grown up in the heart of Daliburgh, I took for granted that Gaelic communities and our culture would always be there. My parents had both an urban and island background and instilled in us the importance of the different communities we have. Gaelic was spoken everywhere I thought, in Glasgow streets, on Uist boats, at church and at school. As we grew up in an era of change, I don’t think I really understood the impact the increasingly wide world, not least through the television set, was having on our language. Gaelic programmes, although a highlight, were few and far between, with plenty other English programmes like Blue Peter and Coronation Street to steal your attention.

But those who did the hard work in ensuring we have Gaelic television service are owed a debt of thanks from those of us today. It can’t have been easy, but the digital world is key, and we would have been left behind a long time ago if they had not ensured that we had a Gaelic media service that would result in a dedicated Gaelic tv channel.

We now find ourselves in the position where we must ensure

that all the levers we have are enabled to ensure that our Gaelic communities, new and old, are able to flourish. And I fundamentally believe that one of the foundation stones should be Gaelic media. The impact of the growth of the media has not always been positive for our language. Yet, we can use the media and the changes in the digital world to enhance the future of Gaelic and its communities.

Don’t just take my word for it. A recent economic assessment of Gaelic media shows it delivers 340 jobs in Scotland with 160 based in Skye and the Western Isles. This coupled with a £1.34 return on every £1 currently spent demonstrates that this is an area with real growth potential and should be a focus as a key delivery agent when looking at addressing key issues facing our communities such as language decline, depopulation and economic generation. Figures like these are exciting, and our politicians should all be attracted to how Gaelic media could deliver positive outcomes for all.

What is holding it back is instability and uncertainty. Our Welsh cousins at S4C have stability through legislation which means their funding is determined through the Licence Fee settlement. They benefit from the UK Government’s policy commitment to television services in the Welsh language being enshrined in statute whilst its commitment to Gaelic media is not. The UK Government is committed to a Gaelic language television service but does not provide for one in statute. This insecure status contributes to its underfunded position meaning the Gaelic service lacks certainty, funding, governance and standing.

MG ALBA has been making the case for Gaelic media in order to see this inequality in statute corrected and asking the UK Government to fulfil its legislative duties and include it in the legislation which will be laid in Parliament as the Media Bill.

We are delighted that within the White Paper there is an important acknowledgement of the work of MG ALBA and Gaelic media in protecting Gaelic culture. The White Paper also acknowledges that certainty of funding is important. However, it does not state that it will address these issues in the legislation with indications from the UK Government that it would like to seek to find solutions for the issues we raise outwith the legislative process.

MG ALBA believe that the stability Gaelic media needs can only be provided within the legislation.

It is only fair that as one of the most important indigenous languages of the United Kingdom that it is treated with equality and respect. The result of this would be the recognition that our media will be embedded in our legislation, with the potential benefits which will be felt by our communities, our economy and our language for many years to come.

Agus, nuair a thèid mi dhachaigh a dh’Uibhist a Deas bhon taigh agam ann an Eilean Leòdhais cumaidh mi orm ag èisteachd airson na diofar fhaclan agus fhuaimean a tha a’ fàgail na Gàidhlig na cànan draoidheil stèidhichte sa choimhearsnachd.

If you would like more information on the work being done in relation to the Media Bill, then please email me at ealasaid.macdonald@mgalba.com