SCOTTISH Conservative MSPs have attacked the BBC after claiming that the corporation refused to correct a statement which they say was “factually wrong”.
The Tories’ outrage focuses on a news piece broadcast on Reporting Scotland on Thursday 23. Introducing a clip of Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross speaking in the Holyrood chamber, the BBC said: “The Government faced calls to cut the self-isolation period for those who test positive.”
In fact, the Tories have not called for this. Instead they want the self-isolation period cut from 10 days to seven if people record two negative tests, as is now the case in England.
The First Minister said changes would be made, but only when benefits would outweigh the risks of spreading the virus.
Outlining their issue with the BBC on Twitter, the Scottish Conservatives account wrote: “Last night, @BBCScotlandNews claimed that @ScotTories wanted people who are Covid POSITIVE to exit self-isolation.
“This is inaccurate. We are seeking changes so that people who are Covid NEGATIVE can exit self-isolation earlier.
“The BBC have refused to issue a correction.”
Individual MSPs also took to the social media platform to express their indignation at the BBC’s error.
Last night, @BBCScotlandNews claimed that @ScotTories wanted people who are Covid POSITIVE to exit self-isolation.
— Scottish Conservatives (@ScotTories) December 24, 2021
This is inaccurate. We are seeking changes so that people who are Covid NEGATIVE can exit self-isolation earlier.
The BBC have refused to issue a correction.
The party’s chief whip, Stephen Kerr MSP, wrote: “We get enough fake news and mistakes from the Scottish Government.
“For the BBC to now run a story about the @ScotTories they refuse to retract that is factually wrong, and can be easily proven as such, is utterly dreadful.
“What's going on?”
Rachael Hamilton MSP added: “Oh come on, @BBCNews. A subsided British Broadcasting Company refusing to correct incorrect reporting?”
The BBC has been approached for comment, but their press office will not now reopen until Boxing Day.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel