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FA chairman urged to stop football clubs from banning news outlets FA chairman urged to stop football clubs from banning news outlets
(3 days later)
English football clubs must put an end to the “worrying trend” of banning news outlets, the National Union of Journalists has said in a letter to the FA chairman Greg Dyke. English football clubs must put an end to the “worrying trend” of banning news outlets, the National Union of Journalists has said in a letter to the FA chairman, Greg Dyke.
The union’s general secretary Michelle Stanistreet wrote that fans would be the losers if the “unacceptable” practice – highlighted earlier this week by this newspaper – continues. The union’s general secretary, Michelle Stanistreet, wrote that fans would be the losers if the “unacceptable” practice – highlighted earlier this week by this newspaper – continues.
“I am writing to you because of our concern over a worrying trend among football clubs to ban reporters and instead have their own hand-picked writers to peddle propaganda from the proprietor’s point of view,” Stanistreet wrote.“I am writing to you because of our concern over a worrying trend among football clubs to ban reporters and instead have their own hand-picked writers to peddle propaganda from the proprietor’s point of view,” Stanistreet wrote.
In her letter to Dyke, she said NUJ “believes censorship by football club owners is unacceptable; they should be held to account for the decisions they make and the way they run the club”.In her letter to Dyke, she said NUJ “believes censorship by football club owners is unacceptable; they should be held to account for the decisions they make and the way they run the club”.
Related: Swindon Town FC bans media outlets from press conferencesRelated: Swindon Town FC bans media outlets from press conferences
Stanistreet added: “It is the fans who will be the losers. They can buy the match-day programmes to hear what their team’s manager and owner have to say, but they should also be able to hear what independent commentators have to say about their local team.”Stanistreet added: “It is the fans who will be the losers. They can buy the match-day programmes to hear what their team’s manager and owner have to say, but they should also be able to hear what independent commentators have to say about their local team.”
Although the media rules are primarily decided by the Premier League and the Football League, Stanistreet wrote to Dyke as she felt the issue must be of particular interest to him “as a former journalist”.Although the media rules are primarily decided by the Premier League and the Football League, Stanistreet wrote to Dyke as she felt the issue must be of particular interest to him “as a former journalist”.
Stanistreet called on his organisation to “take up this issue and to use the power in its hands to roundly condemn the censoring of the press and to work with clubs to ensure that football fans have access to a variety of reports on the fortunes and otherwise of their club”.Stanistreet called on his organisation to “take up this issue and to use the power in its hands to roundly condemn the censoring of the press and to work with clubs to ensure that football fans have access to a variety of reports on the fortunes and otherwise of their club”.
She also referred to comments made to this newspaper by Swindon Town owner Lee Power. He recently turned away all media that do not have commercial deals with the club and will only communicate via the Swindon Town website and a social media app.She also referred to comments made to this newspaper by Swindon Town owner Lee Power. He recently turned away all media that do not have commercial deals with the club and will only communicate via the Swindon Town website and a social media app.
He made it clear that, while he felt that the app was child-friendly, he also wanted the club’s relationship with it to be a money spinner.He made it clear that, while he felt that the app was child-friendly, he also wanted the club’s relationship with it to be a money spinner.
Swindon are the latest club to decide to shut out media outlets. In the past, Newcastle United, Port Vale, Rotherham United, Nottingham Forest and Crawley Town have placed restrictions on journalists.Swindon are the latest club to decide to shut out media outlets. In the past, Newcastle United, Port Vale, Rotherham United, Nottingham Forest and Crawley Town have placed restrictions on journalists.
The FA declined to comment.The FA declined to comment.