Stop the FM Daily Briefing

The daily briefings were intended to inform but have become a platform to depress, bully and control the public. Indeed they seem to have morphed into a party political broadcast. The never ending negativity with no hint of a positive outcome in the near to medium term deflates rather than boosts morale. This is an avowedly “evidenced based policy” administration yet the daily briefings cite no evidence for the draconian measures being introduced. Face masks, rule of 6, 10pm closures, none of it has been justified by evidence. Even the latest “evidence” paper supporting the central belt shutdown is nothing more than hyperbole, misinformation, omission and propaganda. The young are not dying so they wheel out “long Covid” as justification for some of their actions. No evidence, no numbers, just a bland statement.

Why the contribution is important

The general public are losing interest, becoming frustrated at the lack of a coherent policy, and indeed angry with the way their rights are being trashed. The daily briefings do nothing to counter this malaise. Either stop them completely or radically change them - make them apolitical (get rid of the FM), make them evidence based, make them contextualised (where does Covid sit with all other public health issues), interpret the numbers don’t just repeat them, show charts rather than words. Above all, make them positive.

by FreeToChoose on October 08, 2020 at 06:42AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 2.6
Based on: 24 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Julie October 08, 2020 at 14:42

    If you don’t like them don’t watch them, simple really.

  • Posted by Lammykins October 08, 2020 at 15:13

    Absolutely not. As an ill and isolated person (have seen nobody face to face since March) It’s been the only source of valid information I’ve accessed every day for seven months.
    The FM is doing an amazing job and is admirable at how apolitical she’s kept her responses to being “questioned” by journalists.

  • Posted by harviej October 08, 2020 at 15:19

    I agree. Stop the daily briefings, unless something positive can be said.

    I find I dread every day at 12.15

  • Posted by Daradara October 08, 2020 at 20:23

    If you keep it, give us also the figures for:
    -People who became unemployed the previous day
    -Business closed forever the previous day
    -People requiring mental health services the previous day
    And so on

  • Posted by Mercs2011 October 08, 2020 at 22:40

    I find the briefings really helpful and informative. Not all of the information can be welcome and we are in a no win situation, hard choices need to be made and the situation is ever changing, so it's easier to adapt when we know why a decision has been made and/or have advance warning of it.
    I also think it's a pretty brave thing to do to get up there every day and take responsibility for decisions and explain the reasoning for the policies that have been implemented, particularly when you know that some measures will be unpopular and have unintended consequences for some. But every day the FM shows up, takes responsibility and communicates clearly what is happening (and why) and then answers endless questions with good humour and openness. I am really proud to have this type of leadership for our country at such a difficult time. Here is someone genuinely trying to do the right thing, taking ownership, not hiding behind others and working harder than anyone I have ever seen.

  • Posted by rationalone October 10, 2020 at 10:40

    Agree that the daily briefings should stop. This would free up time for the ministers and advisors to work on mitigating the impact of the restrictions on society. How many hours are wasted each day preparing for and attending briefings?

  • Posted by Parsfan October 11, 2020 at 13:25

    If you don't want to see them just change channel

  • Posted by bookMeg October 11, 2020 at 14:09

    These are being used as political broadcasts - if necessary (occasionally) these should be presented bt a medical person.

  • Posted by mawfred October 11, 2020 at 14:41

    The briefings are extremely useful and balanced. Do not stop because some feel threatened by their success.

  • Posted by Nghtshd3 October 11, 2020 at 15:23

    Well I think not. The FM briefings are the only source of information for some people in the community! And let's face it if you don't like what she has to say why are you watching it?

  • Posted by skateMom October 11, 2020 at 18:03

    I agree with Mercs2011 on this. The FM is doing a great job of keeping people informed and for being so forthright. if people don't like it they don't need to watch it but there are plenty of people that rely on this briefing and find it useful. Please don't stop this.

  • Posted by CaroMac October 11, 2020 at 18:42

    I think they need changing, the information is certainly useful, but do we really need the journalists questions? Why not change the time - say to 5.50pm, a 10 minute slot just before the news? Sufficient time to give the relevant information and explain what is expected etc.....we already have the 'public information' broadcasts, the daily figures could be done in a similar way.....

  • Posted by Norrie October 11, 2020 at 19:58

    I agree it is nothing short of a political broadcast and media manipulation.
    I think the handling of covid should be devolved to Local Authorities and Health Boards.
    Health Boards could introduce covid free hospitals allowing other health issues to be dealt with.
    Local Authorities taking over restrictions and giving of updates for their areas only, reducing the level of fear and taking out the politics.
    The SG should oversee finances and resources to where they are needed the most.

  • Posted by Carronhall October 11, 2020 at 20:44

    I find the daily briefings invaluable and complained to the bbc when they proposed stopping them. Old and young alike watch the briefings and can't believe during a world wide pandemic someone thinks less information is the key
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