Nottinghamshire County Council chief Mick Barton banned its Reform councillors, who maintain 41 of 66 seats, from talking to journalists from the Nottingham Publish, its digital web site Nottinghamshire Stay and its native democracy reporters on Tuesday.
When challenged that this was going in opposition to the precept of democracy, Reform UK’s deputy chief replied: “That is the entire level of a democracy. You choose and select who you communicate to, and generally you communicate to pals, generally you do not.
“But it is equally that a media organisation does have a responsibility also to present some things in a sensible way, presenting both sides of a debate or an argument. And that was the issue.”
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Mr Tice mentioned he needs to be held to account by individuals “who are not completely distorted and biased”
Mr Tice was requested whether or not he solely needed to be held to account by those that he likes and agrees with. He replied: “I want to be held to account by people who are going to be rational, sensible and not completely distorted and biased.”
“That’s not a democratic society, that’s not free press. Sometimes there is going to be negative stuff, and sometimes we will be going to have to criticise stuff. It’s very dangerous what he (Mr Tice) said – you can’t just have a positive, unquestioning press,” Ms Fahy warned.
She added that the Nottingham Publish was not an anti-Reform publication and that its journalists respect that a lot of their readers vote for Reform. “We just want to find out on behalf of our readers what they voted for,” Ms Fahy mentioned.
‘Rehearsal for Nigel Farage’s authorities’
“This is a rehearsal for Nigel Farage’s government – he needs to step in and say that this is not acceptable behaviour if he wants to be taken seriously,” the senior editor warned.
However Mr Tice indicated that Mr Farage wouldn’t wade into the row, saying: “It’s a local row and I’m sure they’ll sort it out.”
The ban may not finish with the Nottingham Publish, as Mr Barton, the Nottinghamshire County Council chief, warned his social gathering would additionally “not be engaging with any other media outlet we consider to be consistently misrepresenting our politics, actions, or intentions”.
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Nigel Farage
As a part of the ban, the authority may even cease sending press releases to the outlet and will not invite them to council occasions, though it can’t stop them from attending public conferences.
Ms Fahy revealed an opinion piece after the ban was introduced, telling readers: “Reform UK makes huge noises about respecting free speech, transparency, honesty and being straight-talking. This boycott flies in the face of all of that. When the press is not welcome, you know democracy itself is in danger.
“If we’re heading for a Reform authorities, you may see this echoed on the nationwide stage. And perhaps sooner or later, individuals will look again and marvel the place it began. If we do not struggle again in opposition to this authoritarian edict, we’re heading down a really darkish and harmful path for everybody on this nation.
“Grow up Mick Barton, and start accepting a free press is there to hold you and your councillors to account. You’ve got my number and I am waiting for your call.”
‘Not simply press being shut out’
The chief of the opposition at Nottinghamshire County Council, Conservative councillor Sam Smith, mentioned on X: “The free press play a key role in keeping residents informed of actions being taken by decision makers and in return the press express the views of residents to the politicians and public in publishing balanced articles.
“As a pacesetter of the county council, I welcomed that scrutiny. Generally it was robust studying, but it surely helped guarantee my crew and I had been at all times targeted on delivering on the priorities of native residents.
“It’s not just the press Reform are shutting out in Nottinghamshire. It’s the voice and views of residents.”
Mr Barton mentioned the choice had not been made “lightly”, including: “It is not about silencing journalism, it is about upholding the principle that freedom of speech must be paired with responsibility and honesty.”
