New weather map proves BBC has been ‘misrepresenting’ Scotland, says SNP MP A decision by the BBC to change the angle of its weather map proves that it has been “misrepresenting the […]

A decision by the BBC to change the angle of its weather map proves that it has been “misrepresenting the land mass of the UK” for years, an SNP MP has claimed.

Ronnie Cowan, the MP for Inverclyde, said he hoped that the corporation’s change of tack would also lead to it treating Scotland more fairly in its news coverage.

“It is good to hear the BBC have acknowledged they were misrepresenting the land mass of the UK and have addressed the problem” The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Statement from Ronnie Cowan MP

On Tuesday the BBC announced it was returning to a “flat map projection” for both regional and UK views, in the biggest shake up to its weather coverage for over a decade.

The previous “tilted” map caused anger when it was first launched in 2005, with another SNP MP, Angus MacNeil, claiming it gave viewers a “distorted” view of Scotland.

The protests caused the corporation to rethink its decision just 11 days after that view was launched, but some Scots have remained unhappy about the map’s perspective.

In 2016, the then SNP MP Paul Monaghan accused the corporation of making Scotland “literally appear less significant” through its weather coverage.

Scottish independence

The issue was also discussed ahead of the 2014 independence referendum, with some suggesting people were being “trained to underestimate Scotland’s size”.

Writing on the Bella Caledonia website, Robert Sproul-Cran suggested that this could have a “profound effect on our understanding of who and where we are in the world”.

https://inews.co.uk/news/new-look-bbc-weather-obliterates-birmingham-shrinks-kent-viewers-complain/

In a statement sent to i, Mr Cowan’s office said he had yet to see the new BBC weather map in action but approved of the change in principle.

“It is good to hear the BBC have acknowledged they were misrepresenting the land mass of the UK and have addressed the problem,” the statement read.

“I hope it’s an indication that Scotland and Scotland’s issues will get a fairer representation on all topics, not just the weather.”

Mr MacNeil told i he was “delighted” that the BBC had “done the right thing” by changing its weather map.

He added: “It only took them 12 and half years. Now people can see Scotland really is a big place and we need to have ambitions for Scotland to match.”

However, Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw described their claims as “risible” and “the worst form of nationalist paranoia”.

He added: “Poor wee Ronnie needs to get over himself.

“Nicola Sturgeon ought to be embarrassed by her hapless parliamentarian as it’s the sort of outburst you’d expect from a faceless cybernat on Twitter, not a serious representative in Westminster.”

The BBC declined to comment on Mr Cowan’s remarks, but in its announcement of the revamp the corporation said the “modern” new look would give viewers a better experience.

Weather bulletins will feature new on air graphics and the latest technology, allowing for longer range forecasting on both TV and radio.

“We know how important weather is to all of our audiences both in the UK and globally, so I am delighted to be able to bring them a refreshed look, new data and additional functionality,” said the BBC’s head of weather Liz Howell.

The BBC is also creating a new Scottish TV channel which is set to launch later this year.