PA MediaThe culture secretary has told the chief executive of STV of his “deep concerns” after it announced cost-saving plans that include cutting 60 jobs and axing its north of Scotland television news programme.
The broadcaster is seeking £2.5m of savings by next year, after announcing a £200,000 loss in the first six months of 2025.
In the letter to Rufus Radcliffe, Angus Robertson said he recognised STV was facing “challenging financial circumstances” but was deeply concerned about a reduction in Scotland’s news provision.
Following the announcement of the cuts, Mr Radcliffe said the plans were necessary amid “changing consumption habits” among the broadcaster’s audience.
The company currently provides two distinct news services, one for the central belt based in Glasgow, the other for the north based in Aberdeen. The proposal is for one programme from Glasgow covering stories from across Scotland.
The announcement comes after advertising revenue fell to £45m compared to £50m in the same period last year.
Robertson said STV was an important part of Scottish identity and culture and had a key role to play in Scottish broadcasting.
He said: “The sustainability of quality news from reliable sources is crucial in the fight against false or misleading information.
“It is alarming to see decisions to reduce services and resources of news provision across the country, particularly given STV’s public service commitments to invest in news and help tackle misinformation.”
Describing the plans as a “worrying step backwards”, the culture secretary said he would “continue to champion stronger journalism and a Scottish broadcasting sector”.
In a statement, STV chief executive Rufus Radcliffe said: “The way audiences consume news content is changing rapidly and fundamentally.
“Our output needs to respond to that as linear viewing declines and digital consumption of news increases.”
First Minister John Swinney said “sustained media engagement” was a “vital part of our democracy”.
The cancellation requires permission from regulator Ofcom. Its spokesperson confirmed a request from STV “relating to its news programming” had been received and that “all such requests” would be looked at carefully.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said it would oppose the “devasting” cuts.
NUJ organiser for Scotland Nick McGowan-Lowe said: “While there is no doubt that STV faces financial pressures and a decline of studio productions, none of that can be blamed on the hard-working journalists.
“These proposed cuts threaten the high quality of local and national journalism produced by STV News staff across Scotland.”