ALBA: STAND UP FOR THE LANGUAGE CALL A professor has said that organisations that have been set up to promote Gaelic in Scotland should stand up for the language. Professor Kenneth MacKinnon's comments come following a year of private research that the he has undertaken into how the Scottish media portrays the Gaelic language in Scotland. Professor MacKinnon said that on occasions reporting on the language in the media goes beyond fair comment and good taste. The professor told BBC Radio Scotland: They probably think they are quite at liberty to be let loose on Gaelic where they wouldn't be allowed to say the same thing about minority communities within our society. Professor MacKinnon said that this was particularly true when it came to media coverage of public spending on the language. In a further interview with All Media Scotland Professor MacKinnon qualified his criticism by saying that on the whole coverage in the media remains sympathetic, adding: This is in the context of a great deal of straightforward press reporting and reasonably supportive comment. And also in the context that Gaelic organisations do a good job in representing the interests of Gaelic speakers though it is sometimes the case that one would like to see them a bit more prepared to speak out in public. Professor MacKinnon was on the Board of Gaelic Media Service until his retirement in March 2011. This article prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League. For follow-up comment or clarification contact: Tel: 0044 (0)1209315884
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