PETER Jeal hadn’t lived in Scotland for very long when he realised he wanted it to be an independent country.
Born in London to a French father and German mother, the former print journalist and website developer spent half his life in England before moving to Scotland in 1994.
“I knew pretty quickly that I believed in Scottish independence when I moved here and became an activist for the Yes movement in 2010,” the 64-year-old tells the Sunday National.
At the beginning of August, Jeal set up The Scotland Channel – a new project which will show a wide range of programmes all about Scottish wildlife, history, music culture and, ahead of the 10th anniversary of the referendum, independence.
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Speaking exclusively to the Sunday National, Jeal discussed why he felt the need to create the channel, challenging mainstream narratives and his documentary on independence.
A positive start
THE channel first launched on August 1 and was quickly met with a positive reception, having so far amassed close to 3000 subscribers.
People can also access content through The Scotland Channel website, which promises to keep fans updated on upcoming films and releases.
“The main aim of the channel is to challenge the mainstream media’s constant narrative that Scotland is too weak and too poor to survive as an independent country without the support of the Barnett Formula,” Jeal (below) explains.
“We want to change these negative and totally untrue perceptions.”
The channel’s first documentary focused on Scotland’s burgeoning space sector while a second looked into Abraham Lincoln’s love for the country.
He describes himself as “unashamedly pro-Scottish” and stresses his support for independence, though Jeal also adds that he didn’t want the channel to solely focus on that topic.
“We haven’t labelled ourselves an independence channel really because in order to change perceptions, it’s vital we reach audiences that are not simply made up of pro-independence supporters.”
“There’s no question there is a huge unfulfilled demand in Scotland for a TV channel which truly reflects Scottish life, culture, achievements and its people.”
Independence documentary
JEAL'S upcoming film, Is Scottish Independence Dead And Buried?, is set to examine why Scots said no to independence in 2014 and explore where the movement stands today. It will be released on September 12.
Although not necessarily intentional, it comes at a time of great reflection for the Yes movement following the results of the 2024 General Election and the fact that this September will see the 10th anniversary of the referendum.
“It really was just coincidence because the technology we have now allowed me to get the website up in time,” Jeal said.
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“Any coverage of mainstream media tends to be negative about Scotland at every opportunity while hiding or downplaying its many success stories to fit in with the UK Government’s narrative.
“The film is about the Yes movement and I know the title is asking if it is ‘dead and buried’, but really the thrust of the film is that this is not the case.
“There’s still significant support for independence in Scotland and I think increasingly people are moving towards that.”
Jeal concedes that there is disappointment in the movement that independence isn’t as close as some would like.
However, he’s keen to use this film to put the focus on grassroots activists working tirelessly to make it happen.
“The film reports where we are now, how that happened and that the grassroots independence campaign is still there.
“It does reflect a little on the fact that there’s a fair degree of disappointment that we aren’t further forward politically but doesn’t look to draw conclusions one way or the other.
“Support for independence is high even if it might not be for the SNP.”
Having only launched in August, it seems as though the only way is up for the channel, with Jeal also saying he is hoping to add quizzes and chat shows as time goes on.
“When you consider that Scotland has shaped the modern world with its countless inventions, discoveries and independent thinkers, we think it deserves to be better represented by its media.
“We’re an awesome wee country with a big story to tell.”
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