The Reform UK leader of the Nottinghamshire County Council has banned a local newspaper from speaking “with immediate effect”.
Mick Barton has banned Nottingham Post and its online Arm Nottinghamshire that the BBC understands that there was disagreement about the story on the restructuring of the local government.
The BBC-funded journalists involved in the ban are those who work in publication as part of the local democracy reporting service (LDRS).
Senior Editor Natalie Fhi said she was “very worried” with the “unprecedented ban”.
Improvement controls authority In local elections in MayWinning 40 seats out of 66.
Barton, who is a councilor in the Mansfield District Council since 2003, was first elected to the County Council in May and Later announced as a leader,
A spokesperson of the council said: “The restriction, which will be lifted only for emergency scenarios such as floods and weather related matters, events on schools operated by the council, adult social care or public safety issues, have come into immediate effect.”
The authority will stop sending a press release for publication, and will not give Barton and his colleagues interviews or invite them to the council events.
Nottinghamshire Live and LDR reporters will continue to participate in public meetings.
No one was available for comment from improvement in the council.
Nottinghamshire Live Editor Ms. Fahi said that those who appreciated the decision of reform should “think carefully”.
“We are proud of all political parties in the county, our balanced and accurate coverage and our coverage of our treatment and improvement is no different for any other parties,” he said.
“We see this as a direct attack on the free press and take into account our ability to catch the elected members for us. Ultimately, we will struggle to find out where taxpayers’ money is being spent, so those who appreciate this decision by reforms should think carefully.
“My concern as a 20 -year -old journalist is that we are rapidly looking at such attacks that affect how we can carry out our job effectively. We will continue to speak against them and fight against them in the hope of bringing change.”
Liberal Democrats has written to improve Britain leader Nigel Faraj, urging him to intervene.
Liberal Democrat Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson, MP Max Wilkinson called it a “dangerous and chilling” decision.
“The improvement move to prevent local journalists from reporting on their work is directly out of Donald Trump’s playbook,” he said.
The Leader of the Opposition on Nottinghamshire County Council, Conservative Sam Smith called the ban “extremely dangerous step”.
He said: “This is not just closing in the press reform nottinghamshire. This is the voice and scene of the residents.”
The BBC funded 165 LDRS reporters in the UK, three of which are funded in Nottingham.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Independent journalism is important for local democracy, and journalists should be free to question them in power without fear of rebellion.
“We continue to support notes Live to demand a resolution.”
