Neil Fraser Appointed Head of Gaelic Media Service

Neil Fraser has been appointed the new Chairman of the Gaelic Media Service, Ofcom announced today (30 September, 2003). His appointment, which has the approval of the Secretary of State for Scotland, will take effect from 1 January 2004 and will run for four years.

The new Gaelic Media Service (GMS) will take over from the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee (Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig - CCG) later this year. The GMS will work with broadcasters to ensure the availability of high quality Gaelic programmes using both broadcast and new media services.

The 2003 Communications Act provides for the establishment of a Gaelic Media Service (GMS), tasked with securing the delivery of a wide range of high quality programmes in Gaelic, using both conventional broadcast and new media services. The GMS will work with public service radio and television broadcasters to secure an appropriate level of Gaelic programming on their services, and will also be empowered to provide its own services.