THE former head of news and current affairs at BBC Scotland, Blair Jenkins, has been appointed chief executive of the campaign urging a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum on Scottish independence in two years’ time.
Also a former director of broadcasting at Scottish Television – and also its head of news and current affairs – Jenkins has more recently been chair of a Scottish Government commission on the future of broadcasting.
Last week, it was announced the No campaign, Better Together, had appointed Rob Shorthouse, the director of corporate communications at Strathclyde Police, as its PR head.
The Yes campaign, meanwhile, has also announced the appointment of former MP and MSP, Dennis Canavan, as chair of its advisory board.
In a Yes media statement, Jenkins is quoted, as saying: “For more than 30 years, my professional life has been about impartial journalism. I’m not a member of any party and I’ve never engaged in any form of political activity. But this is just too important.
“This is a once-in-a lifetime campaign for me, personally, and for the people of Scotland. They will be asked to make the most important decision for the future of our nation in more than 300 years and I am totally committed to ensuring they have the best possible information to help them make the right choice.
“The Yes Scotland campaign is the people’s and the people’s referendum. It will be represented and supported by people from across the political spectrum and none. It will not be dominated by party politics.”
Earlier this year, Jenkins was the author of a suggested new set of ethics for journalists.
