Reports are emerging that BBC Scotland are now “keen” to end their long-standing dispute with the Scottish Champions Rangers after a near decade of issues with the broadcaster.
Rangers’ problems with BBC Scotland have been well documented and these came to a head in 2015 – after years of run-ins – following vexatious coverage from a senior journalist at the broadcaster.
The Ibrox side would revoke Chris McLaughlin’s press rights as a result and since then the BBC have stood in solidarity with the journalist.
However, according to the Scottish Sun, BBC Scotland are now “keen” to resolve the situation conveniently just days after the Gers were crowned Champions.
This comes after they aired an interview with Northern Irish captain and Gers midfielder Steven Davis, who’s spoken to BBC Northern Ireland following the Gers’ title victory.
As far as we’re aware, Rangers have no issue with any other branch of the BBC and this relates mainly with those working at Pacific Quay who have, according to the club, treated Rangers differently in their coverage.
This coverage has resulted in numerous run-ins including chief sportswriter Tom English suggesting fans made up reports of a crush and Michael Stewart being suspended for claiming then Rangers PR chief Jim Traynor fabricated stories of racism regarding Alfredo Morelos.
These are just two examples of the concerted and continuing unfair coverage of Rangers and their supporters via the broadcaster as the relationship has deteriorated.
Now Rangers are Champions they’re the biggest story in Scottish football with license-fee payers being let down by a lack of coverage from the national broadcaster.
The situation has previously been described as a “matter of huge regret” by the head of BBC Scotland, Steve Carson.
However, Rangers fans are not so excited to hear the news and have their reservations about working closely with broadcasters and journalists who have differing agendas:
https://twitter.com/King1Scott/status/1369775985420337152
https://twitter.com/DiscophreniaRFC/status/1369786508299866112
https://twitter.com/thechosenfew10/status/1369782901366267910
https://twitter.com/ScottSmcg10/status/1369919728064532482
https://twitter.com/Tour8sbyproxy/status/1369784067605094404
Whilst the situation remains defensive on every side no-one benefits from the biggest broadcaster in the country enforcing a media blackout on the biggest club in the country.
These guys thought they could take a pot-shot at Rangers when the club was down but if we can find a way to bury the hatchet, it’s preferable to everyone involved.
