BBC Radio Scotland is facing a 'deep sense of unease' among staff after a series of respected arts presenters, more than half of them women, were dropped from the schedule. The changes, part of a sweeping shake-up by the station's new head of audio and events, Victoria Easton Riley, have raised questions about diversity and a perceived shift towards a 'more commercial sensibility'.
This Friday, three women who hosted the station's afternoon culture coverage—singer Michelle McManus, poet Len Pennie and music journalist Nicola Meighan—will step down, despite latest Rajar figures indicating their shows were performing better than ever. They will be replaced by one male presenter, Grant Stott, who will broadcast Monday to Thursday, and on Fridays by Arlene Stuart, who continues to work at Bauer Radio's Forth 1.
Earlier this year, specialist late-night music shows hosted by Iain Anderson, Roddy Hart, Billy Sloan and Natasha Raskin Sharp were axed and replaced with a more generic pop show, Up Late, hosted by Lynne Hoggan, who also still works at Bauer. Last week, BBC Radio Scotland confirmed two senior editorial appointments from the commercial station.
Staff have also raised concerns about the treatment of well-known presenter Kaye Adams, who was sacked from her role presenting the Mornings show earlier this year after internal complaints. Colleagues questioned why the complaints, investigated under the Call It Out scheme, resulted in repeated leaks, saying staff now had 'zero confidence' in the scheme. Adams has denied claims she berated an intern and used a misogynistic slur.
More than 300 artists and musicians have signed an open letter organised by the Scottish Music Industry Association, prompting former culture secretary Angus Robertson to request a meeting with the station. A data project found that from January to May this year, compared with the same period last year, 23% fewer Scottish independent artists were played and 55% fewer female or female-led emerging Scottish artists.
A BBC Scotland spokesperson said their own analysis found the number of songs from Scottish artists before and after the late-night schedule changes was 'broadly the same', adding: 'Our commitment to showcase the best from Scotland's music industry, including unsigned bands, remains unmatched. We continually adapt and change our schedule to meet audience demand, and our decisions are informed by robust data and expert analysis.' The spokesperson also said they were 'proud to have added three new female presenters as part of our recent schedule changes'.
