WHAT to do with the BBC? Some believe it to be an anachronism, an unaccountable mouthpiece of the Establishment replete with jobs-for-the-boys sheltering self-important overpaid media luvvies who grow fat on licence-payers’ hard-earned cash and who in the real world couldn’t put a nut in a monkey’s mouth. More than a few Scots also see it a politically biased institution that represents a poor return on the fees raised within Scotland.

Having personally complained about what I interpreted as biased BBC coverage of the English junior doctor’s strike through a complaints mechanism seemingly specifically designed to prevent constructive criticism, I doubt whether the organisation can respond effectively to public opinion or indeed actually tries to.

The finding that nobody in any position of authority was aware of or took any action over the sexual predation uncovered by the Smith Report beggars belief (“Corporation missed chances to stop pervert Savile’s monstrous abuse”, The Herald, February 26) and the circling of the wagons to protect former senior managers and executives is a very unhealthy sign, one of an organisation that doesn’t want prolonged scrutiny as it perhaps has other skeletons in the cupboard. Who knows? We who pay the bills will never know.

Information technology has changed out of all recognition since the BBC was created and “news” can be gathered from many sources on TV and online,each with their own slant on the interpretation of events. In light of the perceived bias in BBC reporting and the internal machinations of the monolithic BBC corporate structure perhaps rather than papering over the cracks by creating a “Scottish Six” it is time to abandon the BBC altogether and allow commercial channels to fill the void as required.

After all, the UK government is pro-choice and appears to be happy to sell off every other state asset other than the one that it can use to pipe subtle propaganda straight into your living-room.

David J Crawford,

Flat 3/3 131 Shuna Street, Glasgow.

THE SNP likes to equate itself with Scotland. In doing so it can imply that what it wants is what Scotland wants. The news that the BBC is piloting the idea of a Scottish Six (Your report, The Herald, February 26) suggests the BBC might be considering giving in to the political pressure from the SNP.

But do the majority of people in Scotland want to have an insular view of the world, delivered by a team of reporters who will find themselves under ever more pressure from the SNP to reflect their agenda and see the world from a particular nationalist perspective?

The BBC is internationally renowned for the quality and independence of its news reporting. The SNP would prefer we do not have access to that balanced and open-minded approach. They have a better way, and that is their way.

Keith Howell,

White Moss, West Linton, Peeblesshire.

YOUR report on the options that the BBC is considering for the Six O’Clock News (“BBC opens Scottish Six talks in bid to avoid industrial action”, The Herald, February 26) left me thinking that these options must have been prompted by motivations other than any widespread public discontent with the existing arrangements. It was clear from your reporting that the BBC focus groups have supported these arrangements. I have no doubt that some of the options being proposed would be beneficial to the BBC management in Scotland, but this is not a sufficient justification for the rejection of public opinion. It is also possible that the "Scottish" options have been seen as a response to the present political situation in Scotland or the strenuous lobbying by certain vested interests. Once again these pressures do not provide a justification for rejecting the views of the public.

Nothing in this life is perfect and we could all identify aspects of the BBC performance that could be improved, such as the parachuting in of "personalities" for the reporting of the occasional national Scottish issue on the "UK" part of the news. However if there is spare money I am sure that there are other opportunities for BBC Scotland productions.

TJ Parke,

109 Kylepark Drive, Uddingston, Glasgow.

JOHN McAleer (Letters, February 26) claims that the proposals in the 1990s for a "Scottish Six" were "thoroughly considered and rejected". In fact the committee tasked with consideration of the proposals found in their favour. John Birt, backed by Tony Blair, then came up to Scotland to pull rank on the committee and overturn its decision.

The motivation was entirely political. By focusing on Scottish affairs and on the work of the new Scottish Parliament the BBC would be forced to acknowledge the status of the SNP as a major party. By continuing to present the news from a London perspective, it could continue to present Scotland as a backwater and its (then) second biggest party as a minor pressure group.

The committee was so angered by this imperious act that the convener resigned.

Mary McCabe,

25 Circus Drive, Glasgow.