Ofcom appoints new chairman for MG ALBA

Maggie Cunningham has been appointed by Ofcom as the new Chairman of MG ALBA, the body responsible for funding Gaelic programming. She will take up the four-year appointment at the beginning of July 2012.

The appointment was approved by the Secretary of State for Scotland, supported by Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning following an independent appointment and selection process undertaken by Ofcom in Scotland.

Maggie Cunningham takes over from Alasdair Morrison who has served as Chairman since July 2008. During this period MG ALBA launched the BBC ALBA channel in partnership with the BBC.  The channel became available on Freeview in June, 2011.

Maggie Cunningham is currently an executive and leadership coach with Perform2Succeed. She was Head of Radio Scotland from 2000 to 2004 and Joint Head of Programmes and Services, BBC Scotland from 2005 to 2009.  She has carried out a number of other roles with BBC Scotland since 1979 including as Secretary supporting the Broadcasting Council for Scotland. She is a fluent Gaelic speaker.

Maggie Cunningham said: “I am delighted to be appointed and look forward to working with the board of MG ALBA to build upon Alasdair’s considerable contribution over the past three and a half years which has seen the launch of BBC ALBA.”

Welcoming the appointment, Colette Bowe, Chairman of Ofcom, said: “Maggie Cunningham combines senior broadcasting experience with a commitment to the future of the Gaelic language.

“My colleagues in Ofcom join me in wishing her every success in taking forward her vision for Gaelic broadcasting.

“I would also like to record the gratitude of Ofcom for the significant role played by Alasdair Morrison in furthering the cause of Gaelic broadcasting during his term as Chairman, particularly in the establishment of BBC ALBA.”

Michael Moore, MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, said: “I would like to congratulate Maggie Cunningham on her successful appointment as MG ALBA Chairman. I am sure that her experience gained over 15 years as a senior BBC executive, will no doubt stand her in good stead as she takes up this appointment.”

Michael Russell MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “The Scottish Government is committed to a sustainable and vibrant future for Gaelic in Scotland and MG ALBA, driven by committed individuals like Maggie Cunningham, are a key part of making that a reality.

“I believe Ms Cunningham has the right skills to step into the role and build on the good progress that MG ALBA has made in partnership with BBC Scotland.”

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. The functions of MG ALBA are outlined in the 2003 Communications Act. They are to secure that a wide and diverse range of high quality programmes in Gaelic are broadcast or otherwise transmitted to people in Scotland.

2. This appointment is the result of a recruitment process validated by an independent assessor. The approval of the Secretary of State is required for the appointment of MG ALBA Board members and Chairman.The Scottish Government was also consulted as required in the operating protocol between Ofcom, the Scotland Office and the Scottish Government.

3. As outlined in the 2003 Communications Act, MG ALBA board members must include:

a) a member nominated by the BBC;

b) a member nominated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise; and

c) a member nominated by Bòrd na Gàidhlig – which promotes the Gaelic language under the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005.

4. Ofcom must also secure, “so far as practicable”, that the membership of the Service is such that the interests of each of the following are adequately represented:

a) the independent television and radio production industries in Scotland;

b) other persons and bodies concerned with the promotion and use of the Gaelic language, including those concerned with education in Gaelic and in Gaelic culture.

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OFCOM A’ SUIDHEACHADH CATHRAICHE ÙR AIR MG ALBA

Chaidh Magaidh Choineagan a suidheachadh le Ofcom mar an Cathraiche ùr air MG ALBA, am buidheann a tha an urra ri bhith a’ maoineachadh phrògraman Gàidhlig.  Tòisichidh i san dreuchd, a mhaireas ceithir bliadhna, aig toiseach an Iuchair 2012.

Chuir Rùnaire na Stàite airson Alba, le taic bho Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit an Alba airson Foghlam agus Ionnsachadh Fad-beatha an taic ris an t-suidheachadh an dèidh pròiseas suidheachaidh agus taghaidh neo-eisimeileich a bhith air a chumail le Ofcom an Alba.

Bidh Magaidh Choineagan a’ gabhail a-null bho Alasdair Moireasdan a bha na Chathraiche on Iuchair 2008.  Rè an ama seo chuir MG ALBA an seanail BBC ALBA air chois ann an com-pàirteachas leis a’ BhBC.  Chuireadh an seanail air Freeview san Ògmhios 2011.

Tha Magaidh Choineagan an-dràsta ag obair mar choidse cheannardais an lùib Perform2Succeed. Bha i na ceannard air Radio Scotland eadar 2000 is 2004 agus na Co-Cheannard air Prògraman is Seirbheisean, BBC Scotland eadar 2005 is 2009. Bha i an sàs ann an grunnan dhreuchdan eile an lùib BBC Scotland bho 1979, nam measg sin, na Rùnaire a’ toirt taic do Chomhairle Craolaidh na h-Alba.  Tha i fileanta sa Ghàidhlig.

Thuirt Magaidh Choineagan: “Tha mi air leth toilichte a bhith air mo shuidheachadh san dreuchd seo agus tha mi a’ coimhead air adhart ri bhith ag obair còmhla ri bòrd MG ALBA a’ togail air an obair mhòr a rinn Alasdair thar nan trì bliadhna gu leth a chaidh seachad, àm anns an deach BBC ALBA a chur air chois.”

Ann a bhith a’ cur fàilte air a suidheachadh san dreuchd ùir, thuirt Colette Bowe, Cathraiche Ofcom: “Ann am Magaidh Choineagan tha sinn a’ faighinn an dà chuid, àrd eòlas ann an obair-craolaidh agus dealas a thaobh na Gàidhlig san àm ri teachd.

“Tha mi fhèin agus na tha còmhla rium air Ofcom a’ guidhe gach soirbheachas dhi ann a bhith a’ toirt air adhart a h-amasan a thaobh craoladh Gàidhlig.

“Bu math leam cuideachd às leth Ofcom ar taing a chur an cèill airson na h-obrach mhòir a rinn Alasdair Moireasdan ann a bhith a’ cur ri soirbheachas craoladh Gàidhlig fhad ’s a bha e na Chathraiche, gu sònraichte an lùib a bhith a’ suidheachadh BBC ALBA.”

Thuirt Mìcheal Moore, BP, Rùnaire na Stàite airson Alba: “Bu mhath leam meal an naidheachd a chur air Magaidh Choineagan airson a bhith soirbheachail ann a bhith air a suidheachadh mar Chathraiche air MG ALBA. Tha mi cinnteach gum bi an t-eòlas a fhuair i thar 15 bliadhna fhad ’s a bha i na h-àrd-oifigear aig a’ BhBC air leth feumail dhi san dreuchd ùir seo.”

Thuirt Mìcheal Ruiseal, BPA, Rùnaire a’ Chaibineit airson Foghlam agus Ionnsachadh Fad-beatha an Alba: “Tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba dealasach a chùm àm ri teachd a bhios seasmhach agus soirbheachail a bhith aig a’ Ghàidhlig ann an Alba agus tha àite air leth riatanach aig MG ALBA, air a stiùireadh le daoine dìcheallach, lèirsinneach mar Magaidh Choineagan, ann a bhith a’ toirt sin gu buil.

“Tha mi dhan bheachd gu bheil na sgilean iomchaidh aig a’ Bhean-uasal Choineagan an dreuchd seo a ghabhail thairis agus leantainn oirre leis an deagh adhartas a tha MG ALBA air a dhèanamh ann an com-pàirteachas le BBC Alba.”

An Deireadh

Fiosrachadh do Luchd-naidheachd

1. Tha dleastanasan MG ALBA air am mìneachadh ann an Achd Conaltraidh 2003. Feumaidh iad dèanamh cinnteach gu bheil raon farsaing agus eadar-dhealaichte de dheagh phrògraman Gàidhlig air an craoladh no air an sgaoileadh air dhòigh eile gu daoine ann an Alba.

2. Tha an suidheachadh seo mar thoradh air pròiseas suidheachaidh a bha air a dhaingneachadh le neach-measaidh neo-eisimeileach. Feumar aonta Rùnaire na Stàite airson a bhith a’ suidheachadh bhall is cathraiche air Bòrd MG ALBA. Chaidh comhairle iarraidh air Riaghaltas na h-Alba cuideachd a rèir am protocol-obrach eadar Ofcom, Oifis na h-Alba agus Riaghaltas na h-Alba.

3. Mar a tha e air a mhìneachadh ann an Achd Conaltraidh 2003 feumaidh Bòrd MG ALBA a bhith a’ gabhail a-steach:

a. ball a tha air ainmeachadh leis a’ BhBC;

b. ball a tha air ainmeachadh le Iomairt na Gaidhealtachd  ’s nan Eilean; agus

c. ball a tha air ainmeachadh le Bòrd na Gàidhlig – a tha ag adhartachadh na Gàidhlig fo Achd na Gàidhlig (Alba) 2005.

4. Feumaidh Ofcom cuideachd dèanamh cinnteach, chun ìre as motha as urrainn dhaibh, gum bi ballrachd an t-seirbheis a’ riochdachadh nan ùidhean a leanas gu ìre iomchaidh:

a.  na gnìomhachasan riochdachaidh telebhisean is rèidio neo-eisimeileach ann an Alba;

b.  daoine is buidhnean eile a tha co-cheangailte ri bhith ag adhartachadh no a’ cleachdadh na Gàidhlig, a’ gabhail a-steach na feadhainn aig a bheil ùidh ann am foghlam is cultar na Gàidhlig.