Devolution of broadcasting could be "crucial" in helping Scotland become independent, a former Holyrood culture minister said.

Linda Fabiani argued the SNP had to "move forward in every way we possibly can" to achieve that and said that broadcasting could be key.

She spoke out as the SNP conference in Aberdeen unanimously backed a resolution calling for control to be devolved to Scotland.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop told delegates the Conservative Government at Westminster "ain't listening" to their demands for this.

But Ms Fabiani said: "Of course Scotland should control its own broadcasting, of course Scotland should be an independent nation.

"We have to move forward in every way we possibly can to get Scotland to achieve that independence and broadcasting is crucial to that. We recognised that in 2007 when we became a minority government."

Ms Hyslop said she wanted "a bold and radical alternative to the out-of-touch structure and decision making of the BBC".

She told the conference: "The BBC is barely playing catch up with devolution, let alone leading from the front, and they know it.

"Their news and current affairs does not satisfy the audience, with over 50% saying it doesn't reflect Scotland properly.

"We propose a federal structure for the BBC, for governance, for editorial and management and commissioning, internal transfers of decision making and budgets can and should happen.

The Culture Secretary stated: "Scotland needs a better service from the BBC, Scotland demands a better service from the BBC and Scotland must have a better service from the BBC."

John Nicolson, a former BBC news presenter who is now SNP MP for East Dunbartonshire, said he saw the corporation as "like a lover that has strayed", adding: "I want to see it return, I want to see it be faithful, I want to remember the old days and look forward to promising new ones.

The current charter review process presents a "golden opportunity at the moment to change the BBC", he said.

Mr Nicolson continued: "We have a chance to shape it, and we're demanding some changes. We want to see the full devolution of broadcasting to Scotland, we need more investment, we need more jobs, we need a separate Scottish six o'clock news."

Doug Thomson, an SNP activist from Edinburgh, said the BBC "lies at the heart of so much of civic life" in Scotland and the UK but added that "in recent times the Beeb has lost its way".

He said: "With devolved assemblies governing successfully in the three Celtic nations, we have in the BBC an institution with a structure, governance and commitment to regional programming which has remained Londoncentric, metropolitan and lacking in accountability to the people of Scotland that successful institutions must have in a post-devolution world."

He continued: "The BBC isn't broken but it isn't fit for purpose, and instead needs to be rehabilitated. It is time for Scotland to have full control over broadcasting."