June 26, 2008
COMMISSION HEARS YOUNG VOICES ON TV
The views of children and young people on the subject of TV will be presented to the Scottish Broadcasting Commission on Thursday, 26 June.
The Children's Parliament in Scotland and the Scottish Youth Parliament undertook consultations with young people as part of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission's work to gather views and opinions for its investigation of broadcasting in Scotland.
Almost 600 voices were represented through workshops and questionnaires undertaken in May. Children and young people will meet with Commission Members to present their findings and answer questions about what they want from television.
Chair of the Commission, Blair Jenkins said:
"It is important that as the Commission considers the way forward for broadcasting in Scotland, we ensure children and young people have had the opportunity to have their say.
"These two consultations capture some of their voices and provide us with more insight into what they want and what needs to be delivered for young people.
"Young people want choices. They live in an age where people can watch what they want, when they want and have the means and technology to do so. The concept of programme schedules, the watershed and terrestrial television will soon be redundant to many of them. It is essential that as we think through possible recommendations, we consider this in the context of an 'on demand', digital, global future."
Children aged between 9 and 12 years of age at Kirkcaldy North Primary, Dalry Primary School in Edinburgh and Braehead Primary School in Stirling took part in workshops and undertook their own questionnaire with 300 children.
Colin Morrison, Co Director, Children's Parliament said:
"Thanks to the Commission for proactively engaging with children and young people. The children were keen and excited to have their say on a number of issues about TV now and TV in the future. They want to see quality television that entertains and informs, and they want to see children and Scotland represented positively across all types of programming. They are looking forward to finding out more about how their views will be reflected in the Commissions reports."
The Scottish Youth Parliament launched its consultation at its General Meeting with MSYPs in March 2008. 290 young people, between the ages of 9 and 26, responded to an on-line consultation through the Scottish Youth Parliament's special website, www.yourtv.org.uk.
Robin James, Convener of the Culture and Media Committee, Scottish Youth Parliament said:
"We were delighted to have been invited to become part of this review. It is too often forgotten that young people in Scotland have the right to have our views listened to, and more importantly acted upon.
"The young people that we have consulted with on this review have been extremely passionate about the issue. Television, news and entertainment is an issue that is central to our daily lives, and to be given the opportunity to shape its future is essential!
"The evidence that we have collated as part of 'Your TV' will be presented along with the Scottish Broadcasting Commission's review to the Scottish Government. The Scottish Youth Parliament and the young people of Scotland will now be waiting, to see our views make a positive change in Scottish television."
The reports of the consultations record the types of programmes children and young people watch, how children and Scotland are represented on television, what a theoretical new channel might look like, and their comments and thoughts.
The consultations took place over April and May 2008 and were designed by the Children's Parliament and the Scottish Youth Parliament.
The Scottish Broadcasting Commission will publish its report with recommendations in September, 2008.
Consultations with Children and Young People