Chronicle boss refused press access to Council budget meeting
The Oldham Chronicle's Managing Director, Matt Ramsbottom, was denied access to the press area at a council budget meeting, leading to accusations of humiliation and an attack on press freedom.
Chronicle MD Denied Access to Council Budget Meeting
Oldham Chronicle Managing Director Matt Ramsbottom was barred from the press area at Thursday night’s council budget meeting, in an incident he describes as a deliberate attempt to humiliate him.
The refusal came just hours after the Chronicle published excerpts from an email Mr Ramsbottom had sent to newly-appointed Oldham Council CEO Shelley Kipling, voicing concerns on behalf of local residents.
Speaking about the incident, Mr Ramsbottom said he had been singled out in front of councillors and council staff. “The doorman was extremely polite when I asked who had given the order,” he said. “I was told it was communications officer Smyth Harper, who implied he was unhappy with a story we had published earlier that day.”
Mr Ramsbottom confronted Mr Harper, accusing him of bullying and anti-democratic behaviour. “This is an attack on the free press in the UK,” he said. “Fortunately, the incident was witnessed by several staff members, including a former colleague I trust.”
The Chronicle has since formally requested an apology from the council and has offered officials the right to respond to the allegations.
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