Commentary on Sections Part 3: Television and Radio Services Chapter 1: The BBC, C4C, the Welsh Authority and the Gaelic Media Service Section 209: Membership of the Service
453.This section inserts a new section 183A into the Broadcasting Act 1990 that deals with the composition of the Gaelic Media Service. The Service must consist of no more than 12 members, each of whom must be appointed by OFCOM, having regard to the matters listed in subsection (6) of section 183A, and must be approved by the Secretary of State for Scotland. OFCOM must appoint one member as chairman. One member must be nominated, respectively, by the BBC, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba (Gaelic Development Agency).
454.OFCOM must also secure that the members of the Services are able adequately to represent the interests of (i) providers of regional Channel 3 services for areas wholly in Scotland or such other areas as are determined by OFCOM under section 184(4)(b) of the Broadcasting Act 1990; (ii) the independent radio and television production industries in Scotland; and (iii) other persons and bodies concerned with the promotion and use of the Gaelic language.
455.Schedule 19 to the Broadcasting Act 1990 (Gaelic Broadcasting Committee: supplementary provisions) (as amended by section 210 and paragraph 73 of Schedule 15) also applies to the Gaelic Media Service.