Former Nat MSP mocked for calling for Scotland to be more like SOUTH SUDAN!

A man watches the news headlines about rebel leader Riek Machar's return to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, in April 2016 (Image: CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty)

Gordon Macdonald wants to get rid of 'biased' BBC Scotland and for the SNP Government to emulate that progressive beacon of media freedom... er, South Sudan

A former SNP MSP has called for Scotland to be more like South Sudan, one of the world's most violent, poverty-stricken nations.

‌Gordon Macdonald was MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands from 2011 until stepping down ahead of the election. Ironically, his old seat includes Wester Hailes and Craigmillar, where many refugees from war-torn north-east Africa now reside.

‌He retweeted a story from the Herald, in which a Glasgow University professor claimed BBC Scotland was a "biased branch office" and is in danger of "disappearing". This is a view shared by many Scottish separatists.

Macdonald declared: "Scotland needs its own public broadcaster & in the 1978 referendum it was to be devolved to the Scottish Assembly. South Sudan, one of the poorest countries in the world, has its own broadcaster plus two private stations all launched in the last 20 years. Why not Scotland?"

However, has been roundly mocked for his comment (not least because the devolution referendum was in 1979). Simon Solomon replied: "South Sudan...that beacon of stability and equal opportunity with zero crime and no poverty...

‌"Meanwhile in the real world it does have a record of civil wars and mass rape & slaughter of civilians based on ethnicity...500,000 and counting! Yes...lets be more like South Sudan.."

Another X user said: "80 percent of people in South Sudan live in extreme poverty, 13% are unemployed. It is not safe to travel there and it is ranked among Africa's worst-performing currencies. Gordon is a moron".

‌One man quipped: "Mate, we've seen the parochial, Brigadoonish guff that the dedicated BBC Scoatland channels churn out, at huge cost. It is so bad that even diehard IndyMince nutters won't watch them! And yet you want more? Behave yourself!!"

Meanwhile, one person replied: "Television in South Sudan is dominated by government-focused news, public affairs, and cultural programming. Is that what we would get? Ended by an address from the dear leader."

‌In fact, South Sudan has two government-run TV stations – South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation Television (SSBC TV) and Equator Broadcasting Corporation. An independent TV channel set up by The Citizen newspaper was shut down after the staff received death threats.

Only around 15% to 20% of people have a satellite dish to watch TV anyway, with newspapers and radio still the main outlets for news. But the country's media landscape is subject to strict censorship, and journalists are often threatened, kidnapped, and arrested.

But, just like John McShane said in response to Macdonald's tweet: "Scotland can be just like South Sudan. ...... Every possibility with the SNP in charge."

Source: https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/former-nat-msp-mocked-calling-37074772