FOOTBALL reporters working for BBC Scotland are to have their club allegiance announced to viewers and listeners, as part of a ‘transparency’ pledge from Corporation bosses.
According to plans revealed to allmediascotland, the club allegiances will be announced at the start of any broadcast involving reporters commentating on matches or interviewing a player or manager.
It is understood that, should the initiative prove a hit with viewers and listeners, it might be extended to other types of reporters, including political correspondents.
A decision on whether to extend, maintain or abandon the initiative is to be made on April 1 next year.
On Friday, Celtic manager, Neil Lennon, declined to attend a pre-match press conference, ahead of his side’s match today against St Johnstone. He tweeted: “There seems to be no balance in the Scottish media when it comes to us.” Earlier that day, The Scottish Sun and the Scottish Daily Express both carried columns (by former referee, Kenny Clark, and former Celtic player, Charlie Nicholas, respectively) criticising his recent touchline behaviour.
A spokesperson, Rolf Piola, told allmediascotland.com: “Impartiality is what we do, so it’s only right that the public know what, if any allegiance, a reporter might have. We have to be seen to be transparent and the events of the last few days have only confirmed what we have been thinking for quite some time.
“You’d have to be a fool for thinking it’s going to make life difficult for our staff.”
PS The Scottish Sun on Sunday today reports Piola’s cousin, Paolo Rilf designing a possible set of banknotes for Scotland should it vote for independence in two years’ time, featuring, among others, Alex Salmond, Susan Boyle and the pandas at Edinburgh Zoo.
And in the paper’s sports section, Celtic player, Scott Brown, is pictured holding what is believed to be the original Scottish Cup, a small wooden trophy designed by “respected Swedish carpenter, Olaf Pirol”.
Meanwhile, in The Sunday Post – but only until noon – it will be possible to see the paper’s iconic cartoon character, Oor Wullie, in 3D – and without the aid of special specs. It’s because of a ‘special ink’ used on state-of-the-art print presses. modifed by Professor Vladimir Uvbinad of The Russian Federal Space Agency. But, sadly, the effect of the ink wears off at noon.
And from special ink to special paint, says today’s Sunday Mail, offshore wind turnines planned close to a golf course owned by well-known US businessman, Donald Trump, may be coated with a paint that effectively makes them invisible. But there are concerns trawlers might crash into them.
And the Scottish Mail on Sunday informs readers that, should Scots vote for independence, MSPs are to issued with tartan ‘uniforms’, designed by celebrity kilt maker, Mae Dupp.
