Shot In The Arm For Scots Gaelic Broadcasting - Edinburgh Makes Up For London's Cuts

In November of 2015 Transceltic reported on the pettiness of London’s cut in funding for Scots Gaelic broadcasting. The British Government’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, had announced a 100% cut in funding for Gaelic language television in Scotland. At the time the web page “Herald Scotland” commented: “Those of a cynical disposition may suppose that the No vote in the (Scottish Independence) referendum may have played a part in this decision – perhaps there is now less need to keep Scottish voters “on side”.

George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, who announced the cuts to Gaelic broadcasting is also heir to the Osborne Baronetcy of Ballentaylor and Balleylemon in the counties of Waterford and Tipperary in Ireland. The Baronetcy dates from 1629, just around the time the Anglo-Irish aristocracy were facilitating the ascendancy of the English language over the Celtic tongue of Ireland.  It seems the Osborne Baronets have been battling the Celtic tongue for quite a while.

Now comes news that the Scottish Government have granted Gaelic Media Service of Scotland  (MG Alba) £1m funding for 2016/17 which follows a previous investment from the Scottish government of £1m for 2014-16 and is in addition to core funding of £11.8m. Minister for Scotland's Languages Alasdair Allan, a proven friend to Gaelic, commented on the funding announcement: "I have no doubt that Gaelic broadcasting adds significant value to important areas of Gaelic development, whether that's in education, in the community or at home. The impact and benefits of MG Alba are felt across Scotland, and it has an impressive economic impact - this is unique and this funding will enable these areas to increase employment, skills and training."

 Gaelic Media Service of Scotland (Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig) was formed under the Communications Act of 2003 charged with promoting Gaelic language programming. The legislation specifies MG Alba’s role: "the functions of the Service shall be to secure that a wide and diverse range of high quality programmes in Gaelic are broadcast or otherwise transmitted so as to be available to persons in Scotland". In addition, the agency is charged to maintain a training and development regimen for people working in Gaelic broadcasting.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-35855438