BBC responds to fierce criticism over decision to keep airing Nicola Sturgeon's briefings

BBC Scotland has defended its decision to continue broadcasting the Scottish Government’s daily coronavirus briefing. [View email online]( [Subscribe]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [The Scotsman] Nov 20, 2020 Good morning, It's Friday at last, although those of us who make up the two million people moving into tier 4 restrictions may be a little less excited about the weekend. If you value what we do and are willing to support us, you can do so by taking out a digital subscription with us from just £3 a month. [Try us out today and support our journalism.]( BBC Scotland on the defensive BBC Scotland has defended its decision to continue broadcasting the Scottish Government’s daily coronavirus briefing. The defence of the decision to broadcast the briefing from St Andrew’s House comes following fierce criticism by former UK Government minister and former Labour MP Brian Wilson, who accused the state of broadcaster of being “taken for a ride” in [The Scotsman earlier this week.]( [Here's what the BBC had to say in response to accusations the briefings are an “exercise in political spin and news management"]( Everything you can and can't do in Scotland as of today Millions of Scots will face different [coronavirus]( restrictions today, when several local authorities will be placed in higher levels of Scotland’s regional lockdown system. From 6pm this evening, 11 council areas will be placed in Level 4 - the highest tier - for three weeks. [Find out about the rules in your area, if and when they're changing and what it means for you here.]( Travel ban backed by MSPs MSPs voted in favour of the principle of the new travel ban due to come into force on Friday despite serious concerns around the legality of the legislation and human rights’ concerns. Scottish Labour had forced a vote on the travel ban by putting forward an amendment to prevent the restrictions being enshrined in law amid claims from leader Richard Leonard the ban was “not common sense”, but “nonsense and the government knows it” Do you agree with the proposed travel ban? [Have your say in our comments section and read the full plan here.]( The Scotsman Sessions Okay, now onto something we're a wee bit proud of. The Scotsman has been shortlisted in the Innovation of the Year category at the British Journalism Awards for [The Scotsman Sessions]( - a series of video performances recorded by Scottish artists during the coronavirus pandemic and released on scotsman.com, with introductions written by Scotsman critics. When the pandemic hit in March our Arts team were very quick to try new ways to support Scottish music artists. The result was The Scotsman Sessions. You might not have come across the series before so we recommend [starting here and picking a couple to watch.]( So much work has gone into these (there are well over 100) and we're delighted for [Arts Editor Roger Cox and his team.]( And finally... Have you tried [our interactive puzzle pages]( yet? We update them daily for our digital subscribers. They're perfect for getting the brain going. Here's a clue from today's quick crossword: Bewilder (9) Thanks for reading, if you have any feedback about this newsletter, let me know. [Sam Shedden]( [BBC Scotland defends decision to keep airing Nicola Sturgeon's daily Covid-19 briefings]( BBC Scotland has defended its decision to continue broadcasting the Scottish Government’s daily coronavirus briefing. [{$escapedtitle}]( [Article Image]( [This is everything you can and can't do in the different regions of Scotland as of today]( Millions of Scots will face different coronavirus restrictions today, when several local authorities will be placed in higher and lower levels of Scotland’s regional lockdown system. [Article Image]( [How banks have taken on a supporting role during the pandemic]( The big banks were the villains of the piece during the financial crisis of the late noughties – but have taken on a very different role during the economic maelstrom of 2020. Promoted by Womble Bond Dickinson [Article Image]( [MSPs vote for travel ban for Scots despite 'grave doubts' and legality concerns]( MSPs have voted in favour of the principle of the new travel ban due to come into force on Friday despite serious concerns around the legality of the legislation and human rights’ concerns. [Article Image]( [Nicola Sturgeon says stage four cancer mother can take 'final holiday' despite travel ban]( A Scots mother-of-two with stage four cancer has been told by Nicola Sturgeon she can take a “final holiday” to Tenerife with her two children despite the introduction of a travel ban in Scotland. [Article Image]( [Coronavirus in Scotland LIVE: Two million people set to face the country's toughest level of Covid restrictions from 6pm]( Live updates on coronavirus in Scotland, the UK, and around the world. [Article Image]( [Motorists warned as M8 expected to be closed for 'some time' following serious collision]( Part of Scotland’s busiest motorway has closed due to a serious crash. [Article Image]( [Heart-warming appeal from Scottish graduate sees 94-year-old receive hundreds of cards and gifts for birthday]( A graduate who befriended a 94-year-old man while at university has made a heartwarming appeal to surprise the pensioner with cards for his 95th birthday this weekend. [Dave Lewis]( [Scotland in the 1970s: A nation at leisure]( It was a pre-digital age when Scots were spending more time experiencing the pleasures of the outside world. [Dave Lewis]( [The Scotsman Sessions #143: Hannah Lavery]( Welcome to The Scotsman Sessions. With performing arts activity curtailed for the foreseeable future, we are commissioning a series of short video performances from artists all around the country and releasing them on scotsman.com, with introductions from our critics. Here, Hannah Lavery performs an extract from her dramatic monologue The Drift, staged by the National Theatre of Scotland in 2019 [Dave Lewis]( [Christie and Gallagher attract interest; Leeds eye SPFL boss; Rangers midfielder £20m claim; Celtic defender boost; Dons cash fear: SPFL Premiership Rumour Mill]( It’s back to domestic duties after the international week that was – and Scotland are still licking their Nations League wounds after seeing promotion and a group win slip through their fingers. [Dave Lewis]( [Rugby World Cup 2021 draw incentive for Scotland]( The draw for next year’s women’s Rugby World Cup has been made, with Scotland still hoping to qualify for the tournament in New Zealand. [Dave Lewis]( [Rangers' revival can stop Celtic's 10 in a row and is good for Scottish football says celebrity fan and WWE world champion Drew McIntyre]( WWE world champion Drew McIntyre gets annoyed when he hears American ‘soccer’ fans discussing the beautiful game in Scotland with all the wrong terminology – but he is pleased they’re talking about the national sport again. [Dave Lewis]( [Hearts midfielder Olly Lee reveals the coaching role which sparked his desire for a job at Riccarton]( Olly Lee is already planning life beyond his football-playing career. A coaching role at Hearts would appeal enormously to the bubbly Englishman. [View more news]( You have received this email as you are opted in to newsletters from The Scotsman, published by JPIMedia Publishing Ltd. To manage your individual newsletter preferences with us, please [click here]( and log in to your account. 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