STV's chief executive has insisted the group is “deeply committed” to regional news, despite plans being progressed to cut jobs and axe a dedicated news programme for the north of Scotland.

Rufus Radcliffe said the proposals being consulted on are necessary to “protect regional journalism”, as the service is “not financially sustainable in its current form”.

Leaders from the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Bectu, which represents workers in broadcasting and digital media, have branded the plans an “act of cultural vandalism”.

First Minister John Swinney has expressed his concern about STV’s proposals, which will see the broadcaster replace its central belt and north of Scotland news with a single programme from Glasgow, with this including sections devoted to regional news.

Giv

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