propaganda, truthful infomation, democracy & freedom of the press

He has been taking lessons from Trump and I fear that he might take a lot more lessons from him in the form of trade. Freedom of the Press is vital to our democracy and he shouldn't get away with this assault on it.

There's every reason to think it's true. Also that those journalists who had been invited also walked out when the others were shown the door. Good for them.
It's part of a blatant attempt to ensure that the Govt's point of view is put forward without criticism. No doubt had the briefing taken place with the select few no questions would have been allowed.
There are those at no.10 quite capable of thinking this up for themselves without recourse to Donald Trump.

It's disgraceful that they're trying to shut out anyone who isn't sympathetic to them.

Not acceptable!

What about The Guardian? Where were they? Out I'm assuming but could be wrong.

Loss of freedom of the press is frightening and leading to a loss of democracy. How does this fit with Leavers mantra of "taking back control"?

I imagine all leave and Tory supporters are as horrified by this as anyone.
I certainly am.

Every government needs to be held to account by the opposition party as well as the Press.

Given that Labour appears to be largely an irrelevance now, the Press has an even more vital role.

The difference JE is that some of us are not in the slightest bit surprised by this behaviour and we ain’t seen nothing yet.

I see Dominic Cummings behind everything these days. He's planning to reorganise the Civil Service and divide the press. When is someone going to recognise how dangerous this man is and what if anything can we do about him? In 5 years it may be too late

They are also avoiding interviews on Radio 4’s Today programme.

Wait until they start on the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court

It’s more than avoiding bossy ministers have been banned by No 10

The Guardian was allowed in.Presumably the newspapers they are ‘blackballing’ are ones that they see as twisting reports/ presenting fake news/sensationalising etc.
My own view is that all newspapers should be represented, even the worst hacks amongst the journalists.
I wonder if this stance of the government will change after all the negotiations with the EU are completed.It may or may not be connected.

I am repeating my post on the Other thread.

I am no hypocrite so I think this was a big mistake by No 10 and they deserve criticism.

I do find the irony however in Keir Starmer and Labour railing against the decision to what could be termed as ' no platforming ' when only days ago Keir Starmer said :-

" I certainly won’t be giving any interviews to The Sun during the course of this campaign.”
---

The rot needs stopping by ALL political parties who refuse to allow questioning by a cross section of the media, allow their supporters to bray at journalists for asking difficult questions and certainly look at their own behaviour.

Watching and hearing the abuse both verbally and written by those who do not like a certain journalist is a tawdry affair too. Argue what they say but if abuse is all you have in your musket youv'e lost the argument before you start.

It is the ' duty' of No 10, indeed politicians from ALL parties, to be open, fair and expect to be challenged and except that goes with the territory.