US EditionRichard Tice defends Reform ban on local newspaper in free speech row
Mick Barton, leading 41 of 66 council seats, initiated the boycott after a report on dissent within his party over local government reorganisation, citing concerns of misrepresentation.
- On Tuesday, August 26, Nottinghamshire County Council's Reform administration, led by Mick Barton, prohibited its councillors from communicating with the Nottingham Post and Nottinghamshire Live.
- The ban followed an article about councillors facing suspension over local government reorganisation and stems from Barton's objections to the media's coverage of his party.
- Reform leaders including deputy Richard Tice defended the ban as a response to perceived biased reporting, while opponents warned it threatens local democracy and free press principles.
- Local MP Lee Anderson expressed his backing for the media boycott on social media, noting that while he would interact with certain outlets, he specifically chose to avoid others, and called for reclaiming the country.
- The ban is still in place, and opponents are calling on the council to lift it, cautioning that it could create a troubling example that might suppress residents' voices and weaken accountability should Reform come to power in the upcoming election.
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Reform council leader boycotts local newspaper in ‘massive attack on local democracy’
Despite Nigel Farage’s party claiming it supports free speech, Reform in Nottinghamshire has banned its councillors from engaging with a prominent local newspaper. In an unprecedented move, the Reform leader at Nottingham County Council, Mick Barton, has said his four-month old administration will no longer deal with The Nottingham Post. Natalie Fahy, the editor of the newspaper called the move “a massive attack on local democracy”. She also war…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources8
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 17%
C 67%
R 17%
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