The Society of Editors is seeking assurances from the government that local media will be allowed to question ministers on local visits after

As previously reported on HTFP, journalists working for Reach plc titles in Devon were not allowed to attend a press conference or question and answer session held by the Prime Minister in Exeter on Tuesday.

It led local editors including Edd Moore, Reach’s digital editor for Devon and Cornwall, to complain directly to Number 10.

Now the SoE has taken up their cause saying it is vital that local media are given access to the PM and members of the government when they travelled outside the capital.

Executive director Ian Murray, pictured, said: “At a time when the regional and local media are playing such a vital role in keeping their communities informed on the latest developments in the on-going Covid-19 crisis, it is not acceptable that journalists are refused access to senior government figures when they are in their area.

“The government are quite happy for the trusted local media to play its part in informing the public of the constantly changing rules and regulations surrounding the pandemic in their area, but it seems then doesn’t want to answer questions from them, even when they visit locally.

“We would urge the government to ensure that the local and regional media are included in media access during such forays outside London.”

Edd and other Reach editors in the South West have written to Number 10 to “make our views clear” on the matter.

He told HTFP: “The regional press is playing a pivotal role in keeping the public informed in a responsible manner, in the face of constant uncertainty and confusion from many over the government’s approach to the pandemic.

“Since the daily coronavirus briefings were ended in June, the regional press has had limited access to the Prime Minister and other senior MPs and events such as this are a crucial way of the government communicating with the public, through titles such as ours.”