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Journalists beware - councils are trying to manage the news Journalists beware - councils are trying to manage the news
(6 months later)
Regional newspaper editor Peter Barron has raised a problem that appears to be growing worse by the week - the exercise of news management by local authorities.Regional newspaper editor Peter Barron has raised a problem that appears to be growing worse by the week - the exercise of news management by local authorities.
His specific complaint is about council officers demanding that reporters stop approaching councillors. Instead, as he explained on his blog, reporters are being told they must put all their questions to council PRs.His specific complaint is about council officers demanding that reporters stop approaching councillors. Instead, as he explained on his blog, reporters are being told they must put all their questions to council PRs.
Barron, editor of the Darlington-based daily, the Northern Echo, wrote:Barron, editor of the Darlington-based daily, the Northern Echo, wrote:
"Increasingly, councils would prefer us to restrict our conversations to their press offices so that all comments can be managed - controlled. The inference appears to be that councillors aren't trusted to say the right thing."Increasingly, councils would prefer us to restrict our conversations to their press offices so that all comments can be managed - controlled. The inference appears to be that councillors aren't trusted to say the right thing.
This is, of course, completely unacceptable. It will be a very sad day indeed when local newspapers don't have direct relationships with councillors."This is, of course, completely unacceptable. It will be a very sad day indeed when local newspapers don't have direct relationships with councillors."
Barron also revealed that one of his reporters was told at a recent public meeting: "Put your pen down, girl."

There was a case in Wales recently where a trainee journalist, Chad Welch of the Llanelli Star, was not only asked to leave a council meeting but was obliged to hand over his notes to the council clerk.		Barron also revealed that one of his reporters was told at a recent public meeting: "Put your pen down, girl."

There was a case in Wales recently where a trainee journalist, Chad Welch of the Llanelli Star, was not only asked to leave a council meeting but was obliged to hand over his notes to the council clerk.
And a couple of weeks ago, a Brighton councillor told the Argus political correspondent Tim Ridgway to stop asking him for comments.And a couple of weeks ago, a Brighton councillor told the Argus political correspondent Tim Ridgway to stop asking him for comments.
These are silly decisions, of course. Though one might think they are odd and relatively isolated examples, the fact is that they fit into a pattern that stretches across every aspect of life for journalists nowadays.These are silly decisions, of course. Though one might think they are odd and relatively isolated examples, the fact is that they fit into a pattern that stretches across every aspect of life for journalists nowadays.
Crime reporters, especially in London, have been frozen out by the police. That is attributable to the backwash from the phone-hacking scandal, but Leveson aside, the PR barrier has been raised everywhere - and it grows higher all the time.Crime reporters, especially in London, have been frozen out by the police. That is attributable to the backwash from the phone-hacking scandal, but Leveson aside, the PR barrier has been raised everywhere - and it grows higher all the time.
It doesn't matter whether it is a private business, a public company, a governmental department, a public utility, a football club, a hospital - all journalistic inquiries will inevitably be directed to a PR.It doesn't matter whether it is a private business, a public company, a governmental department, a public utility, a football club, a hospital - all journalistic inquiries will inevitably be directed to a PR.
Add to that the culture of secrecy that has deep roots in Britain (unlike the United States) and however much people might complain about an out-of-control media, the reality is that obtaining simple facts or persuading an elected representative to give their views has never been more difficult.Add to that the culture of secrecy that has deep roots in Britain (unlike the United States) and however much people might complain about an out-of-control media, the reality is that obtaining simple facts or persuading an elected representative to give their views has never been more difficult.
It was Nick Davies, in Flat Earth News, who pointed out that there were more PRs than journalists in the UK, and his book was published four years ago.It was Nick Davies, in Flat Earth News, who pointed out that there were more PRs than journalists in the UK, and his book was published four years ago.
Given the reduction in editorial staffs since then, the gap between the truth-seekers and the truth-concealers has widened still further in favour of the latter.Given the reduction in editorial staffs since then, the gap between the truth-seekers and the truth-concealers has widened still further in favour of the latter.
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