VIEWERS have questioned why the BBC insisted upon sending journalists based in London up to Edinburgh in order to cover Humza Yousaf’s resignation.
During an episode of the BBC programme Newswatch, the corporation said it had received feedback from viewers in Scotland asking why BBC Scotland reporters weren’t leading the coverage.
Instead, regular BBC News presenter Jane Hill and political editor Chris Mason spearheaded the News at 6, with Scotland editor James Cook relegated to a supplementary role.
“Was it really necessary to send Jane Hill and Chris Mason to Edinburgh today?” asked viewer Amanda Thomas.
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“James Cook is excellent and knows the Edinburgh patch well.
“BBC Scotland as has an excellent team of journalists and political reporters who are more than capable of accurate in depth reporting.
“Please consider the costs of this unnecessary jolly – last minute airfares, hotels etc…
“We keep being told that you’re broke! Well you could have saved some money on this!”
Another viewer, Mary-Jane Wright, also appeared on the programme and questioned whether it was appropriate to send “national” news reporters up to Scotland for the story.
“You don’t need three reporters standing there discussing it,” she said.
“The BBC do some excellent programmes, but times are strained and it is difficult for all companies to cover their costs in some cases.
“And airfares or rail fares and hotels – they’re not cheap”.
A BBC News representative declined an invitation to appear on the programme.
However, a spokesperson said: “It was a very significant moment in UK and Scottish politics and we decided to mark that by co-presenting the BBC News at 6 and 10 from Edinburgh.
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“Chris Mason is the UK political editor reporting the biggest political stories of the day, on and from where substantial power, influence and consequence is within the UK, not just Westminster.
“He reports from Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and from across England – particularly when events there have ripples that matter wherever you’re watching in the UK.”
It comes after numerous media outlets were criticised for their coverage of Humza Yousaf's resignation, publishing various errors including incorrectly spelling the First Minister's name.
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