The BBC have announced that they will continue to show daily coronavirus briefings in Scotland.
In a statement, they said: "with the pandemic still a major cause for public concern, we will, over the coming weeks and as we have done this week, look to cover the ScotGov health briefings live on TV".
BREAKING: BBC Scotland has said that they will continue to broadcast Nicola Sturgeon's Covid briefings next week. https://t.co/KcDfL503KS
— HeraldScotland (@heraldscotland) September 17, 2020
Bosses at Pacific Quay said the decision was taken to ensure a “consistent approach to coverage of the various government briefings across the UK nations”
READ MORE: BBC Scotland vow to show Covid briefings on TV next week following backlash
Last week the BBC said it would continue to stream the briefings online but would only show them live on TV based on their "news values". However, the 'u-turn of sorts' was met with significant comment online.
A needless row. But the right decision. The BBC must, in its own words, continue the daily briefings until the pandemic is not “still a major cause for public concern.” https://t.co/8rVKTpbSyJ
— JOHN NICOLSON M.P. (@MrJohnNicolson) September 17, 2020
One social media user wrote: "Ludicrous decision. We live in a parliamentary, not a presidential, democracy. A health professional should deliver. The head of government should have more to do each day than this and she should answer to parliament, not journalists."
George McDonald wrote on the HeraldScotland website: "The right decision in current circumstances - normal politics should be put aside while pandemic remains a threat to public health across Scotland. No one has lobbied BBC to have UK government pandemic messaging censored or restricted - nor should they."
What a mess. https://t.co/SzQkulOGcS
— Chris McCall (@Dennynews) September 17, 2020
Susan C wrote on the site: "Finally a sensible outcome. This is a health briefing and is particularly important to the elderly who have difficulty getting access to the internet."
READ MORE: Who is on BBC Question Time tonight?
Is it a coincidence that BBC Scotland reverses its decision to stop broadcasting coronavirus briefings on the day there is a demonstration outside Pacific Quay?
— Deeside Cybernat 🏴🇨🇭🎗️🇵🇸 (@Obar_Dheathain) September 17, 2020
Came to the correct decision. But what an embarrassing debacle for the BBC. Shameful that the corporation had initially bowed to political lobbying from opposition parties while we are in the midst of a global pandemic. Clear public health messaging is vital.
— Rehman Mohamed 🐻 (@rehmanmohamed) September 17, 2020
The correct decision. It's a pity @BBCScotland took this dreadful decision in the first place. Public health messaging trumps political gaming anytime but especially in the middle of a global pandemic
— JCW (@jcw911) September 17, 2020
One Twitter user wrote: "Probably the only broadcaster in the whole world giving an hour-long daily platform to a political party." Another added: "It’s disgusting this was taken off the air ! How are people meant to keep up to date with what is happening? Not everyone has iPads, iPhones etc"
Michael Thomson wrote on HeraldScotland: "With the distinct possibility that the virus will run for another year or longer can we expect that Mrs Sturgeon will be daily broadcasting until the day everyone who wishes to be vaccinated will be vaccinated if there is ever a vaccine of course. Just a thought but will anyone be listening by then."
Some names have not been included on social media due to their username.
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