Your Noon Briefing: Johnston Press mileage rate, STV annual report, etc

THE publisher of The Scotsman and several Scots local newspaper has reportedly revised a proposal to reduce its mileage expenses rate for staff from 45p a mile to 25p.

Says holdthefrontpage.co.uk: “Regional publisher, Johnston Press, has revised its plan to cut mileage rates after fierce opposition from staff.

“The company had been in discussions over proposals tor reduce the amount paid to staff for using their own cars from 45p a mile to 25p a mile.

“However, it has now decided that the reduction will only go ahead in respect of claims exceeding 2,000 miles per year.”

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THE director of communications at Edinburgh airport has reportedly been named the new chair of an organisation set up to ‘promote the city to the world’.

Says The Drum media and marketing magazine: “Gordon Robertson, Edinburgh Airport’s director of communications, has been announced as the new chair of Marketing Edinburgh, replacing Alan Johnston who has stepped down after three years.”

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A REPORTER is being sought by the East Lothian Courier newspaper, as advertised here.

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THE Scotsman columnist, Brian Wilson, fears for any Scottish Broadcasting Corporation were Scotland to vote Yes in the upcoming referendum on the country’s constitutional future.

He was writing on Saturday, following a frosty TV interview the previous Sunday by Scots broadcaster, Andrew Marr, with First Minister, Alex Salmond.

The subsequent “personal attack on Marr for having treated an interview as an adult conversation” he said provided an “early warning of the pressures a Scottish Broadcasting Service would be under”.

He continues: “The checks and balances which currently exist would not last for long and when the mask slips, the image is not encouraging. Avuncularity turns quickly to thinly concealed threat. And the storm troopers of the social media are on hand to take their cue.”

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THE pay package of STV chief, Rob Woodward, reportedly fell by almost 14 per cent last year.

Says The Herald: “The company’s annual report for 2013… shows that Mr Woodward’s basic salary was flat at £380,000.”

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CONGRATULATIONS to Scots broadcaster, Kirsty Wark, named Woman of Influence at an event organised by the charity, Action for Children Scotland – as reported in today’s Herald.

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TICKETS for BBC Radio 1’s annual summer party – which is this year taking place in Glasgow – are to made available from Friday evening.

Says the BBC, of its Radio 1 Big Weekend: “Over 60,000 lucky music fans will be able to enjoy performances across the weekend of 23-25 May. On Friday night, Radio 1 will be getting the Big Weekend party started by broadcasting live from the iconic George Square in Glasgow.

“Radio 1’s Annie Mac, Pete Tong, Zane Lowe and Danny Howard will be joined by some of the world’s biggest DJ’s.

“Saturday and Sunday will be similar to previous Big Weekend events, with a main stage, an In New Music We Trust tent and a BBC Introducing stage at Glasgow Green.”

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A DEADLINE of tomorrow, noon, has been set for applications for media accreditation to an awards ceremony celebrating up-and-coming ‘screen industry talent’ in Scotland.

The BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards are taking place, in Glasgow, tomorrow evening.

For more information, contact  Victoria Irvine, by email here, or telephone 0141 440 6761 / 07951 365 636.

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