WE have had 22 consecutive polls showing a majority for independence in Scotland and the BBC have rarely mentioned them. We now get a rogue poll – not configured or weighted in the same way as all the others – and suddenly the BBC is all over it and it is headline news. Is it any wonder that here in Scotland the BBC’s reputation is tarnished?
Recently we have had Sarah Smith make two blatant mistakes on air. She said Alex Salmond called for Nicola to resign, and an apology on Twitter is not sufficient to undo this lie – easy to say what you like and put out an apology on Twitter and you have got away with it. Then she referred to the Alex Salmond inquiry – it is no such thing and after I complained, the BBC send a reply stating that: “I have reviewed Sarah Smith’s report for you. Sarah reported on the topic, when describing the subject of the Scottish Parliament: Harassment Complaints Committee, namely the long-running Alex Salmond Inquiry so the viewer would have context on the update. We can only assure you that she didn’t misunderstand the committee into Scottish Government’s handling of harassment complaints.”
READ MORE: BBC flooded with complaints about Sarah Smith’s Alex Salmond report
Surely it is her duty to report correctly using correct terminology and titles and not treat the viewing public as stupid. We can work out the context for ourselves if necessary. We want facts, not her interpretation of them, which she so often gets wrong.
Once again I was fobbed off with the standard letter which had the correct case number but the wrong name – proving it is just a standard letter to the masses who are being lied to by the BBC.
Not content with her list of “mis-speaks”, “it was not my intention” etc, she appears on Sunday morning on Marr and talks about a “ring-side seat” and getting the popcorn out. This is nothing short of a disgrace – there is no debate about what side of the indy debate she is on. Her reporting is bias of the worst kind, and no attempt is made to be neutral or at least cover both sides of the debate.
Winifred McCartney
Paisley
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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel