BBC Scotland’s Freeview channel 9 broadcasts nothing worth watching during the day, yet is to end broadcasting the daily briefings in full at the time that the incidence of infection is at a critical point, is rising and winter is approaching.
The dry bones of the briefings can be read on the government site and in the press.
What is different in Scotland is the media question and answer session that provides the nation with a unique in-depth knowledge of what has happened in the past, how that has influenced the action being taken by the Scottish Government teams now, and how it is hoped that will help keep control over the spread of the virus.
How on earth the national broadcaster does not see this as a valuable and near-essential tool in the fight against the virus in Scotland is incomprehensible.
John Jamieson
South Queensferry
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here