Op ed speculates boost for broadcasting from Scots independence

A FORMER Special Adviser to First Minister, Alex Salmond, has speculated that broadcasting could be among the biggest beneficiaries of an independent Scotland.

Writing in The Scotsman today, Jennifer Dempsie considers how Scotland’s creative community might react to not just an imminent referendum on independence but independence itself, suggesting it night result in a burst of activity.

She writes: “A report from Scottish Enterprise in 2009 said that with the implementation of a Scottish Digital Network, combined with increases in network television production from Scotland, could result in a near-doubling of direct employment in the industry to nearly 5,700 and additional income of more than £200 million. That is just with a Scottish channel, imagine the job opportunities and serious economic punch our own broadcasting corporation could have.”

She also speculates the possible positive impact of independence on the Scottish computer games industry.