STV journalists strike over new job cuts
By Aimee Duffy
STV staff conduct strikes as their jobs are cut [Image: Unsplash]
STV workers have walked out after an announcement that it will cut the 6pm news show that covers the northern area of Scotland, causing the loss of up to 60 jobs.
All Scottish news programmes from STV were taken off air on Wednesday due to the strike action. The company has two news shows that cover specific areas in Scotland, one in the central belt and one in the north.
The new idea to cut the northern show would mean all content would come from Glasgow, while showing a singular 6pm news show that covers the whole of Scotland with parts of the broadcast covering the north.
As much as 94% of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) members voted in favour of a walkout back in December through a ballot, with 98% showing support in workers challenging the new scheme for STV news. Staff gathered outside the office in Glasgow while another picket line was due to take place in Aberdeen yesterday morning.
STV news has claimed in recent months that their ratings have fallen and have faced issues with advertising, which is why the cut is needed. In 2025 it was revealed that the company had lost £200,000 before tax in the first half of the year, alongside losing 10 percent of advertising income in this period which amounted to around £5 million.
The broadcaster welcomed a new radio show in Glasgow just the day before workers walked out over cuts. Ewen Cameron and Cat Harvey will host the show every weekday from 6am to 10am with celebrity guests and competitions.
STV announces new radio show after cutting jobs [Image: Unsplash]
A representative from the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nick McGowan-Lowe, said: “Today STV has launched their costly radio station and tomorrow it is faced with a strike from those journalists whose jobs are being axed to pay for it.”
The release of the radio show has caused an uproar due to the timing of its release and the revelation of the new possible scheme.
Ofcom’s discussion on if the changes will go ahead runs until February, if it goes ahead the new format will likely be introduced by spring this year. Following the strike action, members off staff at STV have volunteered to leave as 28 roles across the newsrooms have been affected from these decisions.
Chris Harvey, an STV north reporter who attended the picket line, said: “It feels like we’re fighting our own company, not just for jobs, but also for the viewers as well.” There has been strong support for staff on the picket line by the public and political leaders, as they were also seen in front of the Glasgow office on Wednesday.
Patrick Harvie, The Scottish Greens culture spokesperson, said: “In an age of viral misinformation people want good quality national and regional news sources that they can trust. These cuts are the last thing we need.”
From the public support towards STV’s workers, Ofcom has released a discussion for them to share their opinions on the new scheme. Submissions are being taken through their email, with the final date being Friday 9th January.