Staff at BBC Radio Scotland have expressed a 'deep sense of unease' after a number of respected arts presenters, more than half of them women, were dropped from the schedule. The changes, part of a shake-up by new head of audio and events Victoria Easton Riley, have raised questions about diversity and a shift towards a 'more commercial sensibility' for the public broadcaster.
Among those affected is veteran presenter Kaye Adams, who was sacked from her Mornings show earlier this year following internal complaints. The three women hosting the station's afternoon culture coverage—singer Michelle McManus, poet Len Pennie, and music journalist Nicola Meighan—will step down this Friday despite strong listening figures. They will be replaced by male presenter Grant Stott for most of the week, with Arlene Stuart hosting Fridays.
Specialist late-night music shows were also axed earlier this year, replaced by a generic pop show hosted by Lynne Hoggan, who like Stuart continues to work at Bauer Radio, Easton Riley's former employer. Staff have voiced concerns about the treatment of Adams, with some questioning the effectiveness of the Call It Out complaints scheme after repeated leaks from the investigation.
Artists and musicians have raised further concerns, with over 300 signing an open letter about the station's commitment to Scottish talent. A data project found a 23% drop in plays of Scottish independent artists and a 55% drop in female or female-led emerging artists from January to May this year.
A BBC Scotland spokesperson defended the changes, stating that the number of songs from Scottish artists remained 'broadly the same' and that the commitment to showcasing Scottish music was 'unmatched'. They added that three new female presenters had been added as part of the schedule changes.
