CALLS have been made for the BBC to show a series
on the independence referendum across the UK.
Yes/No: Inside The Indyref was made for the corporation’s new Scottish channel, with the three-part documentary receiving critical acclaim when it was broadcast this month.
It included an interview with the BBC’s referendum correspondent at the time, Allan Little, saying some of his colleagues saw it as their responsibility to show how “foolish” it would be to vote Yes and that some
journalists had an assumption the independence argument was “wrong”.
Now the SNP have said it should be shown to audiences in England, Wales and Northern Ireland amid the “chaos of Brexit” and the prospect of a second vote on independence.
Hannah Bardell, the SNP’s culture, media and sport spokeswoman, said: “People across the UK should have the opportunity to gain an insight into
Scotland’s recent history and the BBC should schedule this programme across the UK-wide network.”
She added: “The summer of 2014 witnessed an unprecedented period of peaceful democratic engagement in Scotland – and saw a huge surge in support for independence. Now, with the UK stuck in a seemingly endless state of Brexit chaos, the opportunity of independence is high on the agenda and more and more people are looking again at the case for a better Scotland and moving from No to Yes.”
Green MSP Ross Greer said: “I’m sure people throughout the UK would be particularly interested in the UK Government’s duplicity during the campaign and I hope the BBC are able to broadcast the programme to as wide an audience as possible.”
The three-hour-long programmes received considerable praise from commentators and television critics north of the Border for its behind-the-scenes revelations from the rival camps and the disclosures it made about the workings of the BBC itself.
A BBC spokeswoman said: “There are no current plans to screen the series on other channels as the series is available to all viewers on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Scotland is available across the UK on Freesat, Sky and
Virgin Media.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel