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Scottish Broadcasting Commission
26/10/2007
The new independent body set up to investigate television production and broadcasting in Scotland is holding its first meeting today.
The Scottish Broadcasting Commission, which was announced by First Minister Alex Salmond in August, will review the current state of the industry and make recommendations for action to strengthen the sector.
It is chaired by the former head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland, Blair Jenkins.
At today's meeting in Glasgow the members will discuss the scope of their inquiries over the coming months and how they plan to deliver a vision and strategy for television broadcasting and production in Scotland.
Membership of the Commission is:
- Rt Hon Lord Fraser of Carmyllie QC who has had an extensive political career since being appointed as Lord Advocate in 1989 and who led the inquiry into the Holyrood project
- Rt Hon Henry McLeish, former First Minister currently working as a consultant with public relations consultancy Halogen Communications Ltd. He holds a number of positions at universities around the world
- Baroness Michie of Gallanach, a Gaelic-speaker and a member of An Comunn Gaidhealach. Lady Michie is former Vice-Chairman of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and has served as a Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Scottish Affairs
- Chris Ballance, an award-winning playwright who has written for BBC Radio Scotland. He is a member of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain and the Scottish Society of Playwrights. He was Green MSP for South of Scotland and is currently working as Cultural Co-ordinator for Dumfries and Galloway
- Norman Drummond, a former BBC National Governor and Chairman of the Broadcasting Council for Scotland
- Elaine C Smith, one of Scotland's best known and best loved actresses and comedy entertainers
- Professor Seona Reid, Director of Glasgow School of Art and former Director of the Scottish Arts Council
- David Wightman, a successful entrepreneur and experienced technology innovator. He is chief executive of Edinburgh game creator Edgies and has set up a consultancy working with the games industry. He is also on the Screen Industry Summit Group
- Murray Grigor, writer, film-maker and exhibition designer