NUJ responds to Reform refusing to speak to local journalists in Nottinghamshire
The NUJ is deeply concerned by Reform UK’s decision to ban its councillors in Nottinghamshire from speaking to local journalists at Nottinghamshire Live.
In an unprecedented move, Reform council leader Mick Barton instructed the party’s 41 county councillors not to give interviews or send press releases to Nottinghamshire Live or its Local Democracy Reporters (LDRs). LDRs are funded by the BBC but serve a range of regional media partners as well as Reach plc, providing essential coverage on local issues.
The decision was taken after Barton objected to a story published by Nottinghamshire Live that documented claims of disagreement among Reform councillors over plans to expand Nottingham council. Nottinghamshire Live and its Nottingham Post newspaper, which has provided news to the city and county since 1878, will also not be invited to cover council events.
The NUJ affirms the public’s right to be informed and journalists’ right to report without fear or favour: subjecting elected politicians to media scrutiny is fundamental to the functioning of a healthy democracy.
Chris Morley, NUJ Northern & Midlands senior organiser, said:
"This is a really worrying development. It's a key part of a local newspaper's role to hold decision makers to account. If reporters are barred from interviewing key councillors about those decisions, it risks creating a vacuum of democracy. We hope that Reform rethink this very sudden and rash decision, and continue to engage with all parts of the local media."
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