THE BBC is facing accusations of misleading readers with its headlining of a story reporting on comments by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The story leading the Scottish section of the BBC’s Scotland news site read: “Nicola Sturgeon 'will never give up' on independence”
Speaking to the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, the SNP leader was asked about using the General Election as a vote on independence.
She said: "That is not my preference, but we have to have an alternative.
"If the route by which it would be right to consider and decide this issue – a lawful constitutional referendum – is blocked by Westminster because they fear the democratic choice of the people of Scotland then for me and the SNP the choice is simple.
"We put the case to people in an election or we give up on Scottish democracy. And I want to be clear today I will never give up on Scottish democracy."
However, the headlining of the phrase “'will never give up’ on independence”, rather than what Sturgeon said – never giving up on “Scottish democracy” – sparked criticism online.
BREAKING BBC Scotland has deliberately misrepresented comments made by Nicola Sturgeon in an interview with Laura Kuenssberg. Nicola Sturgeon said: "I will never, ever give up on Scottish democracy." pic.twitter.com/Pax8jk5gzj
— MSM Monitor (@msm_monitor) October 9, 2022
MSM Monitor wrote: “BBC Scotland has deliberately misrepresented comments made by Nicola Sturgeon in an interview with Laura Kuenssberg.”
Another user responding to the tweet said: “Is this true? If so, you must correct this deliberate lie right away, and issue a public apology.”
The National asked the BBC whether it agreed that the headline was misleading – but the broadcaster will not be commenting on the matter.
Responding, a spokesperson for MSM Monitor said: "There's no excuse for misrepresenting the First Minister's comments in this manner.
"That BBC Scotland refuses to either correct the headline or apologise for it will leave many folk to conclude it was a deliberate attempt to deceive."
