STV’s chief executive has told MSPs that the broadcaster’s plan to cut 34 jobs from the news team is necessary “to avoid going the way of the newspapers”.

Simon Pitts said the company wanted to embrace digital and invest in “bigger, better, fewer programming” on the main STV channel.

The Scottish broadcaster announced proposals last month for a three-year growth plan which, as well as sweeping changes to the news team, will see the STV2 channel close at the end of June with the loss of 25 jobs.