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Don't know any of the details regarding this decision, but a few thoughts on this from a research perspective (Thread) 1/9 https://twitter.com/bbcscotnewspr/status/1304338513870098432
Mass media is a powerful tool to promote public health. Not just campaigns (see our @NIHRresearch funded series of systematic reviews on this) but also for policy makers & professionals to explain why measures, interventions or services are needed 2/9 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540706/
Evidence from well conducted studies shows that sustained communication of public health messages, (including repetition of messages over an extended period) is far more effective than shorter, time limited communication 3/9
Research also illustrates that this communication is needed across multiple platforms, as different parts of the population have access to and use different forms of media 4/9
Television and radio in particular remain important for groups that are not using streaming services, social media or websites. That includes older people, who are at particular risk of #Covid19 5/9
. @Scotgov kept providing these briefings, meanwhile they were paused at UK level (except for occasionally). The continuation of the briefings has, in my view, possibly contributed to higher levels of trust in govnt handling of the crisis in Scotland 6/9
They also allow @NicolaSturgeon & her colleagues to EXPLAIN the rationale for decisions and the data that informs decisions, and answer questions. The public need to understand WHY something is happening not just be told to do things. Televised briefings help with this 7/9
The BBC says ‘when any major developments or updates are anticipated’ but advanced notice of this may not always be possible. International experience in this pandemic shows things change very rapidly 8/9
So these briefings need to be on BBC TV as a public service broadcaster. If changes occur, I hope these are modest. Changes should not reduce access to updates, explanations & transparency (particularly for priority groups) as we continue to try to address #Covid19 in 
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