BROADCASTING regulators, Ofcom, has today announced the appointment of Dr Calum MacLeod to the board of MG ALBA, the body responsible for ensuring high-quality television programmes in Gaelic are made available to people in Scotland.
Ofcom’s recommendation for the appointment has been agreed by Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills following an independent selection process by Ofcom in Scotland.
Calum was nominated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise for the role. He has been appointed for a term of four years from 15 May 2022.
Calum is a freelance sustainable development consultant, academic and policy director for Community Land Scotland. A native Gaelic speaker from the Isle of Harris, Calum now lives in Glasgow and much of much of his consultancy, writing and policy work focuses on the relationship between land, culture, community and sustainability.
In 2010 Calum led post-legislative scrutiny of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 on behalf of the Scottish Parliament. He was a member of the Scottish Land Fund committee in 2016 and served on the Board of the Harris Tweed Authority between 2008 and 2016.
Says Allan MacDonald, MG ALBA chair: “Dr MacLeod is perfectly placed to support Gaelic media in what is a highly-challenging and fast-moving environment, with his experience to date giving him an important perspective on both rural and urban concerns in Scotland. This, combined with his Gaelic speaking family links with Harris, and with Scotland’s largest urban Gaelic community in Glasgow, will be a fantastic asset to the MG ALBA board. We are looking forward to working with him.”
Says Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Scotland’s Languages: “Congratulations to Calum MacLeod on his appointment to the board of MG ALBA. I am confident that Calum’s background and extensive experience will be a huge asset to MG ALBA as it builds on the excellent work of recent years.”
Notes for editors:
Under the Communications Act 2003, the remit of MG ALBA (the operating name of Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig, or Gaelic Media Service) is to ensure that a wide and diverse range of high-quality television programmes in Gaelic are made available to people in Scotland.
As outlined in section 183A(5)(b) of the Broadcasting Act 1990, MG ALBA board members must include a member nominated by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Further information about appointments to the board of MG ALBA can be found in the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Government, Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament and Ofcom.
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