BBC bosses have been told to “stop ignoring Scotland” after Newsnight again sidelined the SNP – despite having to apologise for a similar editorial decision earlier this year.
It comes after a panel discussion on Tuesday’s Newsnight on the state of play for the UK’s political parties amid Brexit and the political landscape featured no SNP guests and did not mention the party once in the eight-minute segment.
The SNP also took issue with the graphics appearing on the screen behind presenter Emily Maitlis and her guests, saying it pointed to an endemic problem with the BBC’s coverage of Scotland.
Behind Maitlis were signposts for the LibDems, Labour and the Tories. The guests were in front of signs for Sinn Fein, Plaid Cymru and the Green Party. The SNP’s sign was placed out of shot, next to the Brexit Party and DUP, and was visible during a single wide shot.
This was despite Newsnight having to apologise to the party in February for omitting the SNP in a background graphic, admitting then that the SNP should have been included “as the third largest party”.
SNP depute leader Keith Brown has confirmed he will write to the broadcaster requesting a meeting to secure guarantees it does not happen again.
Brown said: “We are used to having to fight to make Scotland’s voice heard on this and other network programmes but we didn’t expect another howler of a graphics gaffe.
“We have been here before with Newsnight, earlier this year, and they apologised, which we accepted in good faith, but it’s the same old nonsense once again.
“There is a General Election coming and polling suggests that the SNP are going to be right in the mix of things, very possibly holding the balance of power in a hung parliament.
“So, aside from the insulting ignorance of pushing the party of government in Scotland and the third biggest party at Westminster aside this way, it would be totally remiss of Newsnight to sideline us again.
“Newsnight’s Westminster-centric style of programme just isn’t good enough and we’re not going to stand for it.
“I will be writing to BBC bosses requesting a meeting to demand guarantees that this does not happen again.”
READ MORE: Newsnight: BBC criticised over number of Tories featured
The first of the three guests for the discussion was Baroness Olly Grender, Nick Clegg’s former director of communications and Jo Swinson’s interim chief of staff when she became LibDem leader.
The second was Laura Round, former special adviser to Penny Mordaunt, and who worked on the last Tory election campaign.
The final was James Morris, a pollster who worked for Ed Miliband and Tony Blair.
READ MORE: BBC ‘rumbled’ as SNP appearances shoot up after broadcaster criticised
The SNP has previously offered to help the BBC find suitable guests to appear to represent the Scottish view.
The BBC refused to comment on the complaints.
The National understands that the SNP has also sought assurances from the BBC on the coverage of the party’s Aberdeen conference, set to take place on October 13-15.
The broadcaster has been asked whether, as with the LibDem conference, a reporter will be sent.
Newsnight’s apology in February came after a screen behind the set showed logos for the Conservatives, Labour, LibDems and Ukip, with a Green Party graphic floating in on occasion.
Despite the discussion being billed as on “the changing landscape of UK politics”, the SNP were excluded, and an apology was later offered to the party.
Newsnight has also faced criticism over the balance of its guests.
The National revealed in August that almost three-fifths (59%) of politicians on Newsnight since February up until that date were from the Tory Party.
While the Tories had 266 spots and Labour 124, the SNP had just 3% of all appearances by politicians, with 13.
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