Journalists at STV are set to strike on February 7, 2024, as all Scottish news programmes face cancellation for the day. This action arises from a dispute over proposed compulsory redundancies and the discontinuation of a dedicated news service for northern Scotland. STV management has criticized the timing of the strike, noting that consultations with unions are still ongoing.
The strike is expected to impact STV’s news services significantly, potentially leading to reduced content on the network’s website. However, programmes and advertising unrelated to news will continue as scheduled. Notably, the recently launched music radio station, which began broadcasting on February 6, 2024, will remain operational during the strike.
Union Protests and Management Response
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has organized protests outside STV’s headquarters in Glasgow and its offices in Aberdeen. Nick McGowan-Lowe, the Scottish organiser for the NUJ, expressed strong opposition to the management’s plans. He remarked that the proposals are damaging to Scottish journalism and disregard the needs of viewers in northern Scotland who rely on local news coverage.
Currently, STV operates two distinct news services: one for the central belt and another for the northern half of Scotland. The northern service is a remnant of Grampian TV, which provided local programming until it was acquired by STV’s parent company in the late 1990s. As STV seeks to restructure its news offerings, Ofcom, the media regulator, is reviewing proposed changes to the news service.
In recent statements, STV has assured that it will maintain news teams in Aberdeen, Dundee, and Inverness. The revised bulletins are expected to feature stories of national significance while still catering to local audiences. Despite the ongoing controversy, STV argues that changes are necessary to combat declining viewership and advertising revenue.
Political and Community Opposition
The announcement of these changes has drawn criticism from the leaders of major political parties in Scotland, as well as from local business groups such as the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce. Many stakeholders are voicing concerns over the implications for local journalism and the broader impact on communities that depend on STV for news.
Although the STV News at 6 remains one of the most-watched programmes in Scotland, the network has noted that advertising revenue from this slot is minimal. Reports indicate that while three journalists currently face compulsory redundancy, the overall reduction in workforce will amount to 28 roles within the news team. Some affected employees have opted for voluntary redundancy, while others have been redeployed.
As Ofcom continues its consultation process, which is set to conclude in February 2024, there is a possibility that new programming formats could be introduced in the spring, depending on the regulator’s approval. However, Ofcom has clarified that it does not have jurisdiction over employment numbers.
A spokesperson for STV emphasized that the union’s strike action is poorly timed, asserting that substantial progress has been made in discussions about job impacts. They reiterated the company’s commitment to delivering quality news services while adapting to a rapidly changing media landscape, which includes plans to enhance their digital news offerings.
Despite the challenges facing STV, the broadcaster remains dedicated to fulfilling its public service obligations without receiving public funding, striving to ensure the sustainability of its news coverage across Scotland.
