The Society of Editors has called for Reform UK to reverse its decision to ‘ban’ engagement with a local reporter in Derbyshire.

The decision has been taken by Derbyshire County Council’s Reform UK leadership over what it called “a prolonged period of concerns”. The ban was announced by the council’s deputy leader Stephen Reed during a live interview on BBC Radio Derby with a press release confirming the decision sent out later. The ban comes after the authority complained that it was not given enough time to respond to a story written by Local Democracy Reporter Eddie Bisknell about a woman winning a battle against the council over a fence in her garden wall.

Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society of Editors, said: “Refusing to engage with a journalist because you object to their reporting sets a dangerous precedent. Public bodies must be open to scrutiny, including when the questions are uncomfortable and the coverage is critical.

“Journalists must be free to investigate, ask questions and hold those in power to account. A council cannot simply choose which reporters deserve answers. Transparency is a responsibility, not a favour.

“If a council believes a report is inaccurate, it should challenge it with evidence and use the appropriate complaints process. Cutting off contact with the reporter is plainly wrong and does nothing to resolve those concerns.

“This matters far beyond one journalist or one story. When a public body shuts out a reporter, it is the public who lose access to answers about decisions taken in their name and money spent on their behalf.

“The Society of Editors urges Reform-led Derbyshire County Council to reverse this decision. Local journalism is essential to democratic accountability, and councils should defend the public’s right to know by engaging openly with those asking questions.”