STV decision to cut jobs and programming ‘an act of cultural vandalism’
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has described the proposed axing of STV North’s News at 6 programme and up to 30 job cuts in the newsroom as “an act of cultural vandalism for journalism in Scotland”.
Giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, NUJ National Organiser for Scotland Nick McGowan-Lowe said: “Any axing of the STV North News at 6 would be an act of cultural vandalism for journalism in Scotland. A combined programme would be bad for viewers in North East Scotland and Angus; bad for viewers in the Central belt, bad for business, and bad for local democracy.”
STV announced in September 2025 it is planning £2.5m in additional cost savings for the 2026 financial year as part of a broader cost-cutting effort in response to a challenging advertising and content commissioning market.
STV’s proposals to cut 60 jobs across the business, of which half are expected to be in the newsroom, and to axe the standalone News at 6 for STV North have brought widespread condemnation from politicians, business leaders, unions and viewers.
In evidence to the committee, Nick McGowan-Lowe said: “This is a short-term decision that is going to have absolutely catastrophic long-term effects if it is allowed to happen.”
Bectu’s Paul McManus said: “If they wanted to save money, and they were aware of the difficulties coming ahead of them, why spend over £1 million on bonuses for two senior executives earlier this year, why spend £1.5 million on new sets for news programmes?”
The committee also heard evidence from STV Chief Executive Rufus Radcliffe and Managing Director Bobby Hain.
In a heated session Radcliffe faced lengthy questioning by MSPs on the committee who were unimpressed with both his performance and his justification for the cuts.
At one point Stephen Kerr MSP said: “Mr Radcliffe, you are coming across as being very resentful about being asked questions.”
Radcliffe said of the STV’s flagship News at 6 programme, “No one is tuning in now at 6pm to wonder what has happened that day in Scotland. People are finding their news digitally first.”
Neil Bibby MSP corrected the Chief Executive by quoting the programme’s viewing figures. He said: “STV News actually got 330,000 viewers last night, which was 50,000 more than [BBC] Reporting Scotland, and more than anything else in the evening apart from Celebrity Traitors”.
Jackie Dunbar MSP, whose Aberdeen constituency includes the STV North studio, said: “I wouldn’t call 300,000 folk nobody. I think that’s a little bit disrespectful.”
The NUJ’s Nick McGowan-Lowe told the committee: “The STV North programme is extraordinarily successful, producing quality local journalism and regularly attracting an audience share of over 40%. It is a success story. Its axing would be catastrophic for Scotland.”
STV members at the Glasgow-based broadcaster, which holds the two channel 3 licences outside of the ITV network, last week passed a motion of no confidence in the Chief Executive Rufus Radcliffe and the senior leadership team.
At a packed chapel meeting, NUJ members passed a unanimous motion which said: “The NUJ members at STV have no confidence in the Chief Executive Rufus Radcliffe and his leadership team to continue to lead us in light of financial mismanagement and the failure and abandonment of the strategy refresh in May.”
The decision on whether to axe the STV North edition of the News at 6 will now go to Ofcom who will hold a public consultation. The NUJ is lobbying for the consultation to last for a minimum of 10 weeks.